
Glass 73 >■■ 



Book,/ ^ J- 



Cptpght N" ^ '/ jgl Q 



COBfRIGHT DEPOSIT. 



CHURCH ORDER 

of the 

CKristian Reformed CKurch 

As adopted b^) tKe Synod of 1920 



and 



Synodical Decisions, Formulas, 

Rules and Regulations for 

Committees, Etc. 



BY 

W. STUART and G. HOEKSEMA 



m 



We VAN NOORD BOOK AND PUBLISHING CO. 

Publishers 

Grand Rapids, Mich. 

1921 






Copyrighted 1921 by 

We VAN NOORD BOOK AND PUBLISHING CO. 

Grand Rapids, Mich. 



OCT -5 ii^i 



0)CI.A624670 



CHURCH MANUAL 



PREFACE 

This first edition of the Church Order in English 
marks a new epoch in the history of the Christian Re- 
formed Church We might call it the period of transi- 
tion from the Holland into the American. The appear- 
ance of this translation, for such it is largely, has been 
delayed for several years. This delay is due to various 
causes. Principal among these must he mentioned the 
slow process of the Americanization of our churches; 
the difficidties connected with the translation of tech- 
nical terms and the hesitancy of a Synod to pass on 
such translations. Since, however, the Synod of 1920 
approved the following translation, the time has come 
for its publication. This translation woidd, however, 
be incomplete without the translation of the various 
synodical decisions and resolutions of the past. 

When the publisher approached the redactors of 
this translation, he naturally selected some of the men 
that had a share in the translation of the Church Order 
proper, so that the translation of the other material in- 
corporated in this vohime might be in uniformity with 
it. The question whether a brief explanation and am- 
plifications were to be added had to be decided in the 
negative for the simple reason that only authoritative 
material was to be given, and no personal interpreta- 
tions, which have no synodical approval. Hence the 



CHURCH MANUAL 



matter of the choice of material was a simple one. 

The translation of technical terms is a difficult task, 
and the translators are fully aware of the fact that 
there must needs be many shortcomings in a work of 
this kind. To he literal and at the same time to give 
idiomatic English is an impossibility. It required three 
translations to meet the requirements of Synod, and 
the final result is not even now in every respect satis- 
factory. It is the best that could be had under the 
circumstances. 

The volume contains the things the officers of the 
church ought to know, and the things the membership 
of the church ought to study. For three centuries this 
Church Order has ruled in the life of the Reformed 
Churches of the Netherlands and in our own churches 
since the day of their birth. 

We are greatly indebted to the work done by Prof, 
Heyns in collecting the synodical decisions and resolu- 
tions of the past. We have greatly profited by his work. 

We shall be glad to receive any corrections and sug- 
gestions for the next edition which ought soon to be 
needed. The process of Americanization has advanced 
of late by leaps and bounds, and the coming genera- 
tion ought to be acquainted with our Church Order. 

May the Lord own this edition for the perpetuation 
of order in our churches. 

W. Stuart. 

G. HOEKSEMA. 



CHURCH MANUAL 



CHURCH ORDER 

OF THE 

CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH 
(Approved by the Synod of 1920, Vid. Art. 47, 13.) 



ARTICLE 1 
For the maintenance of good order in the 
Church of Christ it is necessary that there should 
be: offices, assemblies, supervision of doctrine, 
sacraments and ceremonies, and Christian disci- 
pline; of which matters the following articles 
treat in due order. 

OF THE OFFICES 
ARTICLE 2 
The offices are of four kinds: of the Ministers 
of the Word, of the Professors of Theology, of the 
Elders, and of the Deacons. 

ARTICLE 3 
No one, though he be a Professor of Theology, 
Elder or Deacon, shall be permitted to enter upon 
the Ministry of the Word and the Sacraments 
without having been lawfully called thereunto. 
And when any one acts contrary thereto, and 
after being frequently admonished does not de- 
sist, the Classis shall judge whether he is to be de- 
clared a schismatic or is to be punished in some 
other way. 

Excepting the ecclesiastical regulation touching relig- 
ious addresses of theological students, no one has the 



CHURCH MANUAL 



right in Public Worship to speak a word of edification, as 
it is called, unless this right has been granted him by his 
Classis, and even then this right applies only to the dis- 
trict of said Classis and not outside of it. Acts 1916, 
Art. 30, 4. 

ARTICLE 4 

The lawful calling of those who have not been 
previously in office, consists: 

First, in the ELECTION by the Consistory and 
the Deacons, after preceding prayers, with due 
observance of the regulations established by the 
consistory for this purpose, and of the ecclesias- 
tical ordinance, that only those can for the first 
time be called to the Ministry of the Word who 
have been declared eligible by the churches, ac- 
cording to the rule in this matter; and furthermore 
with the advice of Classis or of the counselor ap- 
pointed for this purpose by the Classis; 

Secondly, in the EXAMINATION both of doc- 
trine and life which shall be conducted by the 
Classis, to which the call must be submitted for 
approval, and which shall take place in the pres- 
ence of three Delegates of Synod from the nearest 
Classes; 

Thirdly, in the APPROBATION by the mem- 
bers of the calUng church, when, the name of the 
minister having been announced for two suc- 
cessive Sundays, no lawful objection arises; which 
approbation, however, is not required in case the 
election takes place with the co-operation of the 



CHURCH MANUAL 



congregation by choosing out of a nomination 
previously made. 

Finally, in the public ORDINATION in the 
presence of the congregation, which shall take 
place with appropriate stipulations and interroga- 
tions, admonitions and prayers and imposition of 
hands by the officiating minister (and by other 
ministers who are present) agreeably to the Form 
for that purpose. 

Usages in our Churches 

A. The Election of a Minister of the Word takes place 

as follows: 

1. The Consistory makes a nomination, usually of 
three Ministers or Candidates eligible to a call. 

2. This nomination is announced from the pulpit two 
successive Sundays for the approbation of the 
Church. At the same time the date for the congre- 
gational meeting is announced. 

3. At the congregational meeting the members vote 
from the nomination by secret ballot. A majority 
vote decides. Only members in full communion 
and in good standing have a vote (cf. Acts, 1892, 
Art. 47-a, 48-a) . Blank ballots are subtracted from 
the total number, then the majority is established. 

B. Advice of Classis and Counselor. 

1. Classis appoints a Counselor for vacant churches to 
advise the church in eventual difficulties and to 
represent Classis at the calling of a minister. 

2. The consistory of a vacant church requests hand- 
opening of Classis when calling for the first time, 



CHURCH MANUAL 



since the question arises whether the calling church 
is able properly to support a minister. 

3. The nomination is submitted for approval to the 
Classis or its counselor that nothing in violation of 
synodical decisions take place. 

4. The counselor presides at the congregational meet- 
ing that he may see to it that the procedure is or- 
derly and legal and that the call-letter is prop- 
erly written out and signed by all members of the 
consistory. The counselor signs the call-letter as 
representing the Classis for the approval of the call. 

C. Classical Examination of Candidates for the Ministry. 

I. Schedule for the Classical Examination of Candi- 
dates, Acts, 1920, Art. 36. 

1. Dogmatics. 

2. Practical branches, covering: 

a) Personal godliness. 

b) Motives for seeking the ministry. 

c) Test of insight in the practice of pastoral 
work. 

3. Knowledge of the Bible, specifically touching: — 

a) The character of the Holy Scriptures. 

b) The contents of the Holy Scriptures, in 
aforenamed sense. 

4. Knowledge of our Standards, touching: — 

a) Knowledge of the meaning and purpose of 
the Standards. 

b) Knowledge of the contents of the Standards. 

c) Knowledge of the application of the Stand- 
ards of our Church to life. 



CHURCH MANUAL 



5. Controversy. 

The distinctive spiritual currents of our time in 
contrast with the Reformed or Calvinistic 
life-and-world-view. 

6. Test of Gospel Preaching, including: 

a) Preaching before the church in the hearing 
of Classis. 

b) Critical discussion of that sermon. 

II. 1. At the conclusion of the examination and -after 
proper deliberation on it, one of the brethren 
leads in prayer for the guidance of the Holy 
Spirit, before the secret ballot is cast. 

2. If the examination is sustained, the Candidate 
signs the Formula of Subscription. 

3. A certificate, signed by the President and the 
Clerk of Classis is then given the Candidate, 
authorizing him in the name of the Lord to en- 
gage in the work of the Ministry. 

'. Synodical Delegates for Examination. 

1. The Delegates for Examination afe appointed by 
Synod, one from each Classis. Each Classis shall 
propose a primarius and an alternate to Synod. 

2. Every classical examination must be attended by 
three of the Delegates of adjacent Classes. 

3. At the conclusion of the examination, at which they 
shall have the privilege to cross-question the Candi- 
date, these Delegates submit a joint report and 
their reasons for their advice. 

4. If the vote of Classis is contrary to the advice of 
the Delegates and no agreement can be reached, 
the question of admission shall be decided by Sy- 
nod. Until such time the ordination of the Candi- 
dates shall be postponed and in the meanwhile no 



10 CHURCH MANUAL 

congregation of another Classis shall have the right 
to extend a call to him and no Classis be permitted 
to examine him. 

5. The Delegates for Examination submit a report of 
all their activities to Synod. 

6. Traveling expenses of these Delegates are paid 

from the Synodical treasury. Acts, 1912, Art. 72-7. 

E. Candidates. 

1. No call shall be extended to Candidates until a 
month after their graduation. Acts, 1884, Art. 35. 

2. For the consideration of a call or calls received, the 
Candidates are granted a period of six weeks. 
Acts, 1916, Art. 30-1. 

3. If the classical examination of the Candidate should 
not be satisfactory and the Congregation persists 
in desiring him,, he will be given an opportunity 
at the next meeting of Classis for another exam- 
ination, especially in those branches in which he 
was deficient. Acts, 1894, Art. 64. 

ARTICLE 5 

Ministers already in the Ministry of the Word, 
who are called to another congregation, shall like- 
wise be called in the aforesaid manner by the 
Consistory and the Deacons, with observance of 
the regulations made for the purpose by the Con- 
sistory and of the general ecclesiastical ordinances 
for the eligibility of those who have served outside 
of the Christian Reformed Church and for the 
repeated calling of the same Minister during the 
same vacancy; further, with the advice of the 
Classis or of the counselor, appointed by the Clas- 



CHURCH MANUAL H 

sis, and with the approval of the Classis or of the 
Delegates appointed by the Classis, to whom the 
ministers called show good ecclesiastical testi- 
monials of doctrine and life, with the approval of 
the members of the calling congregation, as stated 
in Article 4; whereupon the minister called shall 
be installed with appropriate stipulations and 
praj^ers agreeably to the Form for this purpose. 

1. As a brief ministry in a church is usually contrary 
to her best interests, Consistories are advised not 
to call ministers that have been laboring in their 
charge but for a short time. Acts 1914, Art. 64, 1. 

2. Synod advises that Consistories of vacant churches 
in making a nomination, shall not nominate minis- 
ters that have not served their present church for 
two years — unless special, preponderant reasons 
exist— and that a counselor who deems that he 
must approve a nomination, containing the name 
of such a minister, must give an account of his 
reasons to Classis. Acts, 1916, Art. 30-3. 

3. A second call to the same minister during the same 
vacancy may not be extended within a year with- 
out the advice of Classis. Acts, 1906, Art. 35-36. 

4. When there is a difference of opinion concerning 
the legality of a call between a consistory and its 
counselor, the consistory shall not proceed without 
the consent of Classis. A. B. Art. 51. 

5. If a minister leaves a church within a year and the 
moving expenses have exceeded $50, the calling 
church shall refund the church he leaves expenses 
in full ; if he leaves within two years, three-fourths ; 
if in three years, one-half; if in four years, one- 
fourth of his moving expenses. This article shall 
be incorporated in the call-letter. Acts, 1884, 
Art. 52; Acts, 1890, Art. 63. 



12 CHURCH MANUAL 

6. In case a church calls a minister from a church 
that had to refund another church, such a church 
need only pay for the traveling expenses. Acts, 
1908, Art. 54 V. 

7. Usage without Synodical Approbation. 

Ministers of other denominations are called only 
after Consistory and Classis, upon careful investi- 
gation, are satisfied as to their training, official 
standing, confession and walk, and before entering 
the ministry submit to a ''colloquium doctum" be- 
fore the Classis of the calling church and in the 
presence of the delegates for examination. 

ARTICLE 6 

No Minister shall be at liberty to serve in insti- 
tutions of mercy or otherwise, unless he be 
previously admitted in accordance with the pre- 
ceding articles, and he shall, no less than others, 
be subject to the Church Order. 

Spiritual Advisors for Institutions shall be called by a 
neighboring church in consultation with the respective 
Boards. Acts, 1918, Art. 37, lib. 

ARTICLE 7 

No one shall be called to the Ministry of the 
Word, without his being stationed in a particular 
place, except he be sent to do church extension 
work. 

Synodical decisions regarding Home Missions. 

1. Since "ignorance and consequent lack of sym- 
pathy makes for poor giving,'' the Synod of 1912 in- 
structed the Committee for the General Fund: energet- 



CHURCH MANUAL 13 

ically and continuously to plead the cause of needy 
Classes in our church papers and to maintain constant 
contact with Classes and consistories in order that these 
where they are slow to apply themselves, are urged to 
more zeal in giving help where there is need. Acts, Art. 
28, 2, 1. 

2. The Synod of 1912 also found it necessary to 
urge that 1, d of the General Rules, accepted by the 
Synod of 1908 (Acts, Art. 53), be strictly observed, so 
that of the three collections taken for Home Missions, the 
last two are turned into the General Fund. 

3. To prevent the scattering of our people the Synods 
of 1902, 1914, and 1916 decided the following: 

(a) At every classical meeting the question shall be 
asked whether there are names of non-resident 
members or baptized members to report to the 
Classis (Acts 1902, Art. 29). 

(b) Further regulations in this matter w^ere given by 
the Synod of 1914 (Acts, Art. 24, 2). These 
rules, together with the changes made by the 
Synod of 1916, are as follows: 

1) A general warning be given in our churches 
against removal to different localities in 
search of riches when not well informed and 
to consider the prospects as regards ecclesias- 
tical and spiritual ministrations. 

2) Since the removal of our people to different 
localities can not and should not be pre- 
vented. Synod appoints a committee of five 
persons of whom one shall be from the North- 
west and one from the Southwest of our coun- 
try (Acts 1916, Art. 23, II), with instruc- 



14 CHURCH MANUAL 

tion to prevent as much as possible that such 
removal result in scattering. 

3) The work of this committee shall be: 

a) To gather information concerning the spir- 
itual and material conditions of the set- 
tlements; 

b) To furnish the needed information in the 
church papers and also thru personal cor- 
respondence regarding both the spiritual 
and the material conditions of the settle- 
ments in order in this way to give guidance 
to prospective settlers, and to prevent as 
much as possible scattering, financial dis- 
appointment and spiritual ruin. 

c) To request consistories that they urge 
prospective settlers to seek information 
from this Committee, also to request con- 
sistories to inform the secretary of the 
Committee as soon as possible of the re- 
moval of their members, together with 
their names and addresses. 

d) To keep the Classical Home Mission Com- 
mittee informed as much as possible with 
respect to the names and addresses of all 
who remove to different localities and of 
the scattered. 

e) To advertise themselves repeatedly in the 
church papers as the "Bureau of Informa- 
tion for Settlers," with the request to all 
interested parties to seek their advice. 
(Acts 1916, Art. 23, II.) 



CHURCH MANUAL 15 

4) The expenses connected with this work shall 
be paid out of the General Home Mission 
Fund. 

4. Church Help is a Fund that has for its purpose 
to aid weak congregations in obtaining and maintaining 
church property, by lending money without interest to 
them, secured by a legal receipt and on condition of an 
annual payment of 5%. It is governed by three dele- 
gates, to be appointed by each Synod, to whom request 
for aid, approved by Classis, must be submitted. Every 
congregation must take a collection for this Fund once per 
year in September, or at the latest in October, while gifts 
and bequests are also thankfully received by the delegates. 
(Acts 1892, Art. 37b; Acts 1894, Art. 78; Acts 1906, Art. 
76. Rules for Church Help, page 85.) 

5. Congregations that are indebted to this Fund and 
pay no attention to it, shall be notified and in name of the 
Synod be requested to fulfill their obligations (Acts 1914, 
Art. 17, 3.) 

6. Immigrants. The Classes Hackensack and Hudson 
are laboring among the Immigrants and Seamen at Ho- 
boken and Ellis Island and receive financial aid for this 
work from the General Home Mission Fund. (Acts 1910, 
Art. 21.) 

7. South America. Since 1908 fi.nancial aid is given 
from Synod to Synod to those in South America who are 
of common stock and faith with us who need help for their 
religious interests. The Synod of 1912 gave the following 
instruction to the Delegates who must devote themselves 
to this matter in consultation with the delegates of the 
Reformed Churches in the Netherlands: 

(a) To request all our consistories in name of Synod 
to take a collection for the brethren in Argentine. 



16 CHURCH MANUAL 

(b) To aid the Argentinian colonies with advice as 
much as necessary and possible (Acts 1908, Art. 
38, 5; Acts 1910, Art. 29; Acts 1912, Art. 28, II; 
Acts 1914, Art. 24, IV; Acts 1916, Art. 23, III). 

ARTICLE 8 

Persons who have not pursued the regular 
course of study in preparation for the Ministry of 
the Word, and have therefore not been declared 
eligible according to Article 4, shall not be ad- 
mitted to the Ministry unless there is assurance of 
their exceptional gifts, godliness, humility, mod- 
esty, common sense and discretion, as also gifts 
of public address. When such persons present 
themselves for the Ministry, the Classis (if the 
[particular] Synod approve) shall first examine 
them, and further deal with them as it shall deem 
edifying, according to the general regulations of 
the churches. 

The examination of candidates for the ministry under 
this article differs from the regular examinations only by 
the omission of the Hebrew and the Greek. 

ARTICLE 9 

Preachers without fixed charge, or others who 
have left some sect, shall not be admitted to the 
Ministry in the Church until they have been de- 
clared eligible, after careful examination, by the 
Classis, with the approval of Synod. 

ARTICLE 10 

A Minister, once lawfully called, may not leave 
the congregation with which he is connected, to 



CHURCH MANUAL 17 

accept a call elsewhere, without the consent of the 
Consistory, together with the Deacons, and knowl- 
edge on the part of the Classis; likewise no other 
church may receive him until he has presented a 
proper certificate of dismission from the church 
and the Classis where he served. 

ARTICLE 11 

On the other hand, the Consistory, as repre- 
senting the congregation, shall also be bound to 
provide for the proper support ef its Ministers, 
and shall not dismiss them from service without 
the knowledge and approbation of the Classis and 
of the Delegates of the (particular) Synod. 

When a minister accepts a call to another church, he 
requests of his consistory proper credentials testifying to 
his faithful service and to the acquiescence of the consis- 
tory in his departure. These credentials are sent to the 
classical committee of the Classis in which he labors for 
examination and approval, and are by them to be for- 
warded to the classical committee of the Classis of the 
church whither he is going. Af^er examination and ap- 
proval this committee sends the credentials to the coun- 
selor who, upon finding the documents in good and regu- 
lar order, proceeds to his installation. If the Classis hap- 
pens to be in session, then it must perform this work. 
If the minister remains in the same Classis then the ap- 
probation of that Classis only or of its classical committee 
is required. 

ARTICLE 12 

Inasmuch as a Minister of the Word, once law- 
fully called as described above, is bound to the 
service of the Church for life, he is not allowed to 



18 CHURCH MANUAL 

enter upon a secular vocation except for such 
weighty reasons as shall receive the approval of 
the Classis. 

ARTICLE 13 
Ministers, who by reason of age, sickness, or 
otherwise, are rendered incapable of performing 
the duties of their Office, shall nevertheless retain 
the honor and title of a Minister, and the Church 
which they have served shall provide honorably 
for them in their need (likewise for the orphans 
and widows of Ministers) out of a common fund 
of the Churches, according to the general ecclesias- 
tical ordinances in this matter. 

Rules and Regulations are in preparation by a Synod- 
ical Committee. 

If any Minister of the Word by reason of age, sickness 
or otherwise, is unable to perform his duties, his request 
for emeritation is presented by him to his consistory and 
by them to Classis, which decides on it, subject to the ap- 
proval of Synod. Acts 1914, Art. 17 and 72. 

ARTICLE 14 
If any Minister, for the aforesaid or any other 
reason, is compelled to discontinue his service for 
a time, which shall not take place without the ad- 
vice of the Consistory, he shall nevertheless at all 
times be and remain subject to the call of the 
congregation. 

ARTICLE 15 
No one shall be permitted, neglecting the Min- 
istry of his Church or being without a fixed charge, 



CHURCH MANUAL 19 



to preach indiscriminately without the consent and 
authority of Synod or Classis. Likewise, no one 
shall be permitted to preach or administer the 
Sacraments in another Church without the consent 
of the Consistory of that Church. 

1. A consistory shall not admit to its pulpit a minis- 
ter outside of our denomination except when they 
are convinced that such a minister is of sound Re- 
formed confession. Acts, 1904, Art. 125-5. 

2. a) As to his membership a candidate is under the 

supervision of the consistory of the church to 
which he belongs, but with regard to his labors 
as a candidate he is subject to the supervision 
of the Classis in whose district he labors. 

b) Those who formerly served the church as min- 
isters must either be declared emeriti or the 
Classis must assume responsibility for them. 
Acts, 1904, Art. 126-7. 

ARTICLE 16 
The office of the Minister is to continue in 
prayer and in the Ministry of the Word, to dis- 
pense the Sacraments, to watch over his brethren, 
the Elders and Deacons, as well as the Congrega- 
tion, and finally, with the Elders, to exercise 
church discipline and to see to it that everything 
is done decently and in good order. 

ARTICLE 17 
Among the Ministers of the Word equality 
shall be maintained with respect to the duties of 
their office and also in other matters as far as pos- 
sible according to the judgment of the Consistory, 



20 CHURCH MANUAL 

and if necessary, of the Classis; which equality 
shall also be maintained in the case of the Elders 
and the Deacons. 

ARTICLE 18 

The office of the Professors of Theology is to 
expound the Holy Scriptures and to vindicate 
sound doctrine against heresies and errors. 

For the training for the Ministry of the Word, the 
Christian Reformed Church has the Theological School 
and Calvin College. Calvin College is open also to other 
students besides those studying for the ministry. The 
Synod of 1920 decided to discontinue the Preparatory 
Department: the first two years immediately, the third 
year in 1921, and the fourth year in 1922. The Seminary 
Preparatory Course of the Preparatory Department was 
continued until 1924. 

All matters pertaining to these institutions are found 
in their Constitutions, Rules and Regulations. 

A. Curatorium. 

The care of these Institutions is entrusted to the 
Curatorium whose members consist of two delegates 
nominated by each Classis and elected by Synod. The 
duties of this body are described in the ^*Rules for the 
Curatorium.'' 

B. Professors. 

I. Theological Professors. Acts 1914, Art. 29-2. 

1. a) Whenever such a professor is to be ap- 
pointed the Curators of the various Classes 
shall note who are mentioned in their re- 
spective Classes as being fit for this posi- 
tion, that tTiey may propose such names at 
the meeting of the Curatorium. 



CHURCH MANUAL 21 

b) The aggregate thus obtained shall be dis- 
cussed at the meeting of the Curatorium 
and in this discussion the advice of the 
theological professors shall be sought. Af- 
ter this discussion and consultation, the 
Curatorium shall proceed to make a nomi- 
nation from this aggregate. 

c) From this nomination Synod elects a pro- 
fessor. 

2. The Professors of Theology are appointed as 
much as possible for definite departments. In 
the branches which they teach they must meet 
the requirements set at other institutions of 
learning of the same standing in our coun- 
try. Acts 1910, Art. 56. 

3. The installation of the professors of theology 
takes place according to the form (Acts 1906, 
Art. 35-5a), after they shall have signed the 
Formula of Subscription. 

4. Emeritus Professors who were honorably re- 
tired and who received a definite appoint- 
ment, are entitled to a pension from the 
churches, since they, just as the ministers, de- 
vote all their gifts and talents entirely and ex- 
clusively to the service of the Church. Acts 
1916, Art. 20-4. 

II. College Professors. 

Since the appointment of professors by Sy- 
nod, which does not meet until June, leads to 
practical difficulties both for the School and for 
the persons involved, the appointment or re-ap- 
pointment of professors for the College is en- 
trusted to the Curatorium. At the regular 
meeting in June the Curatorium shall decide as 
to the desirability of a special meeting during 
the last week of February, so that by the first 



22 CHURCH MANUAL 

of March provision may be made in eventual 
vacancies. Acts 1914, Art. 39-1. 

C. Educational Secretary. Acts 1912, Art. 36, ii. 

The appointment of the Educational Secretary is 
permanent, and in case of eventual separation of Col- 
lege and Seminary, he remains in the service of the 
Church. In this manner the official position of the 
Secretary is guaranteed. 

D. Candidates for the Ministry. 

1. Inasm.uch as the Church has as a rule entrusted 
the candidature for the ministry to the Cura- 
torium, everyone who desires to serve our Church 
must enter the ministry in this manner. Stu- 
dents, having studied in institutions not positively 
Reformed, must have attended the classes in the- 
ology in our own institution for at least one 
year. Acts 1900, Art. 39, ix. 

2. If anyone being declared a candidate does not re- 
ceive a call within three years and yet desires that 
his relation be continued, he shall apply to the 
Classis to which he belongs, that said Classis may 
decide whether his candidature be prolonged. 
Acts 1910, Art. 67 xi. 



ARTICLE 19 

The Churches shall exert themselves, as far as 
necessary, that there may be students supported 
by them to be trained for the Ministry of the Word. 

Every Classis has its own "Student Fund*' and the 
matters of this Fund are regulated by Classis itself. 
Acts 1888, Art. 66. 



CHURCH MANUAL 23 

ARTICLE 20 

Students who have received permission accord- 
ing to the rule in this matter, and persons who 
have according to Article 8 been judged compe- 
tent to be prepared for the Ministry of the Word, 
shall, for their own training, and for the sake of 
becoming known to the Congregations, be al- 
lowed to speak a word of edification in the meet- 
ings for public worship. 

Acts 1920, Art. 29-1. 

a) If theological students desire to take post-graduate 
work at other institutions, they should inform the 
Board of Trustees to that effect. 

b) As long as they continue their study elsewhere 
they should annually apply to the Board of Trus- 
tees for renewal of the privilege of "speaking 
unto edification in the meetings for public 
worship.'' 

c) When they desire to consider a call they must noti- 
fy the Board of Trustees which shall act according 
to the Rules and Regulations established by Synod. 

ARTICLE 21 

The Consistories shall see to it that there are 
good Christian Schools where the parents have 
their children instructed according to the de- 
mands of the Covenant. 

ARTICLE 22 

The Elders shall be chosen by the judgment of 
the Consistory and the Deacons according to the 
regulations for that purpose established by the 



24 CHURCH MANUAL 

Consistory. In pursuance of these regulations, 
every church shall be at liberty, according to its 
circumstances, to give the members an oppor- 
tunity to direct attention to suitable persons, in 
order that the Consistory may thereupon either 
present to the congregation for election as many 
elders as are needed, that they may, after they 
are approved by it, unless any obstacle arise, be 
installed with public prayers and stipulations; or 
present a double number to the congregation and 
thereupon install the one-half chosen by it, in the 
aforesaid manner, agreeably to the Form for this 
purpose. 

Nominations and congregational meetings must be an- 
nounced two successive Sundays. 

ARTICLE 23 
The office of the Elders, in addition to what 
was said in Article 16 to be their duty in common 
with the Minister of the Word, is to take heed that 
the Ministers, together with their fellow-Elders 
and the Deacons, faithfully discharge their office, 
and both before and after the Lord's Supper, as 
time and circumstances may demand, for the edi- 
fication of the churches to visit the families of the 
Congregation, in order particularly to comfort 
and instruct the members, and also to exhort 
others in respect to the Christian Religion. 

ARTICLE 24 
The Deacons shall be chosen, approved and in- 
stalled in the same manner as was stated concern- 
ing the Elders. 



CHURCH MANUAL 25 

ARTICLE 25 

The office peculiar to the Deacons is diligently 
to collect alms and other contributions of charity, 
and after mutual counsel, faithfully and diligently 
to distribute the same to the poor as their needs 
may require it; to visit and; comfort the dis- 
tressed and to exercise care that the alms are not 
misused; of which they shall render an account 
in Consistory, and also (if anyone desires to be 
present) to the Congregation, at such a time as 
the Consistory may see fit. 

Synod urges the Classes to impress earnestly upon 
delinquent congregations their duty to remember the 
poor, if necessary also those in other congregations, and 
to attend to the development of the deaconate and to 
proper correspondence between deaconries. 

Acts 1910, Art. 17, xvii. 

ARTICLE 26 

In places where others are devoting them- 
selves to the care of the poor, the Deacons shall 
seek a mutual understanding with them to the 
end that the alms may all the better be distributed 
among those who have greatest need. Moreover, 
they shall make it possible for the poor to make 
use of institutions of mercy, and to that end they 
shall request the Board of Directors of such insti- 
tutions to keep in close touch with them. It is 
also desirable that the Deaconates assist and con- 
sult one another, especially in caring for the poor 
in such institutions. 



26 CHURCH M A N U A L 

ARTICLE 27 

The Elders and Deacons shall serve two or 
more years according to local regulations, and a 
proportionate number shall retire each year. The 
retiring officers shall be succeeded by others un- 
less the circumstances and the profit of any 
church, in the execution of Articles 22 and 24, 
render a re-election advisable. 

Definite retirement according to Art. 27 must be the 
rule, but the liberty of renominating those that retire as 
permitted in that article must remain 

a) since the Church is served best by the best gifts 
and talents; 

b) since the retiring officers often through experience 
have acquired greater fitness; 

c) since in most churches there is not available a suf- 
ficient supply of qualified men that the retiring 
members can be left out of consideration without 
loss to the church. Acts 1898, Art. 50-1. 

The Synod of 1912 decided that in case the in- 
stallation of newly elected Elders and Deacons 
must for weighty reasons be postponed, the tenure 
of the retiring Elders and Deacons is extended, 
and they remain legal trustees of the church. 

ARTICLE 28 
The Consistory shall take care, that the 
churches for the possession of their property, and 
the peace and order of their meetings can claim 
the protection of the Authorities; it should be well 
understood, however, that for the sake of peace 
and material possession they may never suffer the 
royal government of Christ over His Church to be 
in the least infringed upon. 



CHURCH MANUAL 27 

OF THE ECCLESIASTICAL ASSEMBLIES. 
ARTICLE 29 

Four kinds of ecclesiastical assemblies shall be 
maintained: the Consistory, the Classis (the 
Particular Synod), and the General Synod. 

ARTICLE 30 

In these assemblies ecclesiastical matters only 
shall be transacted and that in an ecclesiastical 
manner. In major assemblies only such matters 
shall be dealt with as could not be finished in 
minor assemblies, or such as pertain to the 
Churches of the major assembly in common. 

ARTICLE 31 

If any one complain that he has been wronged 
by the decision of a minor assembly, he shall have 
the right to appeal to a major ecclesiastical as- 
sembly, and whatever may be agreed upon by a 
majority vote shall be considered settled and 
binding, unless it be proved to conflict with the 
Word of God or with the Articles of the Church 
Order, as long as they are not changed by a Gen- 
eral Synod. 

Ecclesiastical Usage. 

Appeal from a decision by any ecclesiastical assembly 
must be made before the first following meeting of the 
major ecclesiastical assembly appealed to and notice sent 
of this appeal to the clerk of the minor assembly. The 
interested parties must be informed of every decision 
made. 



28 CHURCH MANUAL 

ARTICLE 32 

The proceedings of all assemblies shall begin 
by calling upon the Name of God and be closed 
with thanksgiving. 

ARTICLE 33 

Those who are delegated to the assemblies 
shall bring with them their credentials and in- 
structions, signed by those sending them, and 
they shall have a vote in all matters, except such 
as particularly concern their persons or churches. 

To promote uniformity, the printed credentials as 
authorized by Synod (Acts 1888, Art. 87), shall be used, 
or at least written credentials concluding as follows: 
"with instruction and authority to take part in the con- 
sideration of all matters legally brought before the meet- 
ing according to God's Word and the interpretation of it 
embodied in the forms of unity and the accepted Church 
Order." 

ARTICLE 34 

In all assemblies there shall be not only a 
president, but also a clerk to keep a faithful 
record of all important matters. 

Acts 1904, Art. 132-7. Major assemblies have also a 
"stated clerk," who, however, has not the function of a 
permanent clerk, not being an officer, but that of a dele- 
gate whose regular duties are three-fold: He inscribes 
the minutes, he attends to all official correspondence, and 
he prepares the Agendum. 

ARTICLE 35 
The office of the president is to state and ex- 



CHURCH MANUAL 29 

plain the business to be transacted, to see to it that 
everyone observe due order in speaking; to silence 
the captious and those who are vehement in 
speaking; and to properly discipline them if they 
refuse to listen. Furthermore his office shall 
cease when the assembly arises. 

ARTICLE 36 

The Classis has the same jurisdiction over the 
Consistory as the Particular Synod has over the 
Classis and the General Synod over the Particular. 

ARTICLE 37 

In all Churches there shall be a Consistory 
composed of the Ministers of the Word and the 
Elders, who at least in larger congregations, 
shall, as a rule, meet once a week. The Minister 
of the Word (or the Ministers, if there be more 
than one, in turn) shall preside and regulate the 
proceedings. Wherever the number of Elders is 
small, the Deacons may be added to the Consis- 
tory by local regulation; this shall invariably be 
the rule where the number is less than three. 

Acts 1908, Art. 54, xi, and Acts 1912, Art. 57, xvii. 

1. With a view to the danger that catechetical instruc- 
tion may be relegated to the background or wholly 
neglected. Synod appeals to all Classes and consis- 
tories most earnestly and urgently to guard 
against the danger as much as possible. 

2. Henceforth an extra copy of the Acts shall be sent 
to every consistory especially designed for the con- 
sistorial archives. Acts 1916, Art. 55. 



30 CHURCH MANUAL 

3. Acts 1914, Art. 17-9. In the interest of good order 
the consistories shall report each year on the exact 
number of families; the stated clerk shall keep ac- 
curate record of these reports; these statistics 
shall be read to the Classis; the assessment for the 
Theological School, Emeriti Fund and Synodical 
Expenses shall be made accordingly and the stated 
clerk shall forward these statistics to Synod. 

Rules for Congregational Meetings as sanctioned by 
Usage. 

Inasmuch as congregational meetings are called by 
and in charge of the consistory, the president and clerk of 
the consistory shall function as such at these meetings. 

Only such matters as are presented by the consistory 
shall be acted upon at these congregational meetings. 

When members of the congregation desire to have any 
matters presented to the congregational meeting, they 
shall first submit them to the consistory so that this body 
may judge whether and in what manner these matters are 
to be submitted to the congregational meeting. 

ARTICLE 38 

In places where the Consistory is to be consti- 
tuted for the first time or anew, this shall not take 
place except with the advice of the Classis. 

Acts 1908, Art. 54, ii. In case of the organization of 
a new congregation within the limits of an existing local 
church, the consent of the local consistory must first be 
obtained and then also that of the Classis. Naturally the 
consistory has the right to withhold its consent. In that 
case, however, the interested parties have the right of ap- 
peal to Classis, and if need be, to Synod, with whom the 
final decision rests, while in the meanwhile the status quo 
remains unchanged. 



CHURCH MANUAL 31 

Usual Manner of Proce<!ure in ike Organization of 
New Congregations. 

1. Such members of the church as desire the organiza- 
tion of a church in a different locality present their 
petition for organization to the Classis. All heads 
of families and single members sign such a petition. 

2. The Classis considers whether such organization is 
possible and desirable in the light of the proximity 
of other churches and the presence of properly qual- 
ified persons for the offices. In case the Classis de- 
cides to grant the request, a classical committee is 
appointed to effect the organization. 

3. The committee meets with those interested after 
these have obtained their letters of dismission from 
their respective churches. After public worship, 
under the auspices of said committee, the letters of 
dismission are handed in and accepted, when in 
good and regular order, election of all officers takes 
place and they are at once installed in their re- 
spective offices. 

4. The election of the officers is by free ballot by the 
male members whose letters of dismission have been 
accepted. According to the rule of free balloting a 
two-third vote is required for election on the first 
ballot. For the other ballots a majority is sufficient. 

5. The Articles of Incorporation of the new organiza- 
tion are then to be executed before a Notary Pub- 
lic at this meeting. 

ARTICLE 39 

Places where as yet no Consistory can be can- 
stituted shall be placed under the care of a neigh- 
boring Consistory. 

Acts 1908, Art. 54, vi. If possible, the organization of 
a new congregation must precede the administration of 



32 CHURCH MANUAL 

the sacraments. If, however, conditions are not ripe for 
organization, the eventual members are to be enrolled in 
a neighboring church and under the supervision of its con- 
sistory the sacraments may be administered in their midst, 
not, however, without preaching of the Word nor without 
a suitable representation of the consistory for the purpose 
of supervision. 

ARTICLE 40 

The Deacons shall meet, wherever necessary, 
every week to transact the business pertaining to 
their office, calling upon the Name of God; where- 
unto the Ministers shall take good heed and if 
necessary they shall be present. 

ARTICLE 41 
The classical meetings shall consist of neigh- 
boring churches that respectively delegate, with 
proper credentials, a minister and an elder to meet 
at such time and place as was determined by the 
previous classical meeting. Such meetings shall 
be held at least once in three months, unless great 
distances render this inadvisable. In these meet- 
ings the ministers shall preside in rotation, or one 
shall be chosen to preside; however, the same min- 
ister shall not be chosen twice in succession. 

Furthermore, the president shall, among other 
things, put the following questions to the dele- 
gates of each church. 

1. Are the consistory meetings held in your 
church? 

2. Is church discipline exercised? 



CHURCH MANUAt. 33 



3. Are the poor and the Christian schools cared 
for? 

4. Do you need the judgment and help of the 
Classis for the proper government of your church? 

And finally, at one but the last meeting and, if 
necessary, at the last meeting before the (Partic- 
ular) Synod, delegates shall be chosen to attend 
said Synod. 

No nev7 Classis shall be organized without the consent 
of Synod. A. B. Art. 11. 

Every congregation within the synodically prescribed 
boundaries for a separate Classis shall delegate a minister 
and an elder to the Classis, and in case the church is 
vacant, two elders. A. B, Art. 10. 

At every classical meeting investigation shall be made 
whether the various churches are laboring to execute the 
decision of Synod of 1898, Art. 94, that the so-called bap- 
tized-member-system may be abolished in our churches. 
Acts 1902, Art. 128-3, 

Consistories shall report the names and addresses of 
their non-resident members and baptized members to the 
mission committee of their Classis. At every classical 
meeting they shall be reminded of this matter. Acts 1902, 
Art. 29-i. 

The Synod of 1902 deemed it advisable that a larger 
number of ministers be given opportunity, through alter- 
nating synodical delegation, for active participation in the 
affairs of our Church, but it established no rule in this 
matter. Art. 103-6. 

Whenever a consistory or Classis delegates some one 
who declares that he cannot afford the loss of wages inci- 
dent upon attendance at the meeting, the delegating as- 
sembly shall, if not releasing him, attend to the necessary 
compensation. Acts 1902, Art. 132-6. 



34 CHURCH MANUAL 

ARTICLE 42 

Where in a church there are more Ministers 
than one, also those not delegated according to 
the foregoing article shall have the right to attend 
Classis with advisory vote. 

ARTICLE 43 

At the close of the Classical and other major 
assemblies, Censure shall be exercised over those, 
who in the meeting have done something worthy 
of punishment, or who have scorned the admoni- 
tion of the minor assemblies. 

ARTICLE 44 
The Classis shall authorize at least two of her 
oldest, most experienced and competent Ministers 
to visit all the Churches once a year and to take 
heed whether the Minister and the Consistory 
faithfully perform the duties of their office, adhere 
to sound doctrine, observe in all things the 
adopted order, and properly promote as much as 
lies in them, through word and deed, the upbuild- 
ing of the congregation, in particular of the youth, 
to the end that they may in time fraternally ad- 
monish those who have in anything been negli- 
gent, and may by their advice and assistance help 
direct all things unto peace, upbuilding, and 
greatest profit of the churches. And each Classis 
may continue these visitors in service as long as it 
sees fit, except where the visitors themselves re- 
quest to be released for reasons of which the Clas- 
sis shall judge. 



CHURCH MANUAL 35 



ARTICLE 45 
It shall be the duty of the church in which the 
Classis and likewise the (Particular) or General 
Synod meets to furnish the following meeting 
with the minutes of the preceding. 

ARTICLE 46 

Instructions concerning matters to be consid- 
ered in major assemblies shall not be written until 
the decision of previous Synods touching these 
matters have been read, in order that what was 
once decided be not again proposed, unless a re- 
vision be deemed necessary. 

ARTICLE 47 

(Every year [or if need be oftener] four or five 
or more neighboring Classes shall meet as a Par- 
ticular Synod, to which each Classis shall delegate 
two Ministers and two Elders. At the close of both 
the Particular and the General Synod,some church 
shall be empowered to determine with advice of 
Classis, the time and place of the next Synod.) 

ARTICLE 48 

(Each Synod shall be at liberty to solicit and 
hold correspondence with its neighboring Synod 
or Synods, in such manner as they shall judge 
most conducive to general edification.) 

ARTICLE 49 

(Each Synod shall delegate some to execute 
everything ordained by Synod both as to what 



36 CHURCH- MANUAL 

pertains to the Government and to the respective 
Classes, resorting under it, and likewise to super- 
vise together or in smaller number all examina- 
tions of future Ministers. And, moreover, in all 
other eventual difficulties they shall extend help to 
the Classes in order that proper unity, order and 
soundness of doctrine may be maintained and 
established. Also they shall keep proper record of 
all their actions to report thereof to Synod, and if 
it be demanded, give reasons. They shall also not 
be discharged from their service before and until 
Synod itself discharges them.) 

ARTICLE 50 

The General Synod shall ordinarily meet once 
ever}'^ two years unless there be urgent need to 
shorten the time. 

To this Synod three Ministers and three Elders 
out of every Classis shall be delegated. If it be- 
comes necessary in the opinion of at least three 
Classes to call a meeting of Synod within two 
years, the local church designated for this purpose 
shall determine time and place. 

Synod shall meet according to rule on the third Wed- 
nesday of June in the even years. Acts 1894, Art. 145. 

When a Classis desires an early Synod it must apply to 
the convening church, who applies to its Classis, and 
whenever two neighboring Classes deem it necessary, an 
early Synod shall be convened. Acts 1910, Art. 67, xiii. 

The Synodical Agendum must be published in the be- 
ginning of May and hence all matters for Synod must be 
sent in to the stated clerk before the first day of May. 
Acts 1900, Art. 99, xviii. 



CHURCH MANUAL 37 

As much as possible the rule shall be adhered to that 
no proposals of importance shall be presented to Synod 
that have not appeared on the Agendum, so that consis- 
tories and Classes may have opportunity for previous 
deliberation. Acts 1904, Art. 112. 

All committees shall publish their reports for the in- 
formation of the churches, six months before Synod con- 
venes. 

All reports of advisory committees, prepared for Sy- 
nod, on subjects committed to them for special study, 
shall be inserted from the "Wachter'^, "Banner^', and ^'Re- 
formirte Bote'', in the Agendum. Acts 1910, Art. 67, iii. 

Usages and Rules for Synod. 

On the evening preceding the Synod a synodical 
prayer-meeting shall be held in the place of assembly, 
led by the President or Vice-President of the preceding 
Synod, who shall also deliver a sermon appropriate to the 
occasion. (Rules of Order, Art. 1.) 

Synod is led by the President according to the exist- 
ing Rules of Order. The following particulars have be- 
come usage or have been officially adopted : 

1. At the appointed time and place the President of 
the former Synod or his substitute calls the dele- 
gates to order; he opens with prayer, the reading of 
Scripture, and an address, and presides over the ac- 
ceptance of the credentials and the election of 
officers. 

2. After the elected officers have taken their place, 
the members rise and listen to the reading of the 
Public Declaration by the newly-elected President 
and after the conclusion of this ceremony they de- 
clare their agreement with the Three Forms of 
Unity by answering "yes'' to the appertaining 
question of the President. This Declaration of 
Agreement is asked separately of each delegate that 
may arrive later. (Acts 1902, Art. 103, Page 54.) 



38 CHURCH MANUAL 



3. All motions that are laid before the meeting must 
be translated into English for the benefit of the 
American brethren present. The President shall 
attend to the translation. (Acts 1904, Art. 30; 
Art. 52, Church Order.) 

4. a) The Synod meets on Wednesday morning for 

the purpose of the election of its officers and 
the appointment of a Committee for Advisory 
Committees. Synod then adjourns to enable 
this Committee to meet. 

b) On Wednesday afternoon Synod meets again to 
approve the report of the Committee for Ad- 
visory Committees. Synod then adjourns until 
Friday morning to enable the Advisory Com- 
mittees to prepare their reports. 

c) The reports of the Advisory Committees are pre- 
sented as soon as possible to the Committee for 
Publications, who see to it that all reports are 
neatly printed and distributed to the delegates. 
Acts 1918, Art. 52, iii. 

Advisory Members of Synod. 

The Professors of the Theological School shall be ac- 
corded a seat as well as all the delegates, but only with 
advisory vote. The privileges of the floor shall be given 
to delegates from affiliated churches and may be given to 
guests who are members of the Church. Acts 1888, Art. 8. 

The Synod shall no longer give an advisory vote on the 
floor of the Synod to the professors of Calvin College, but 
shall invite only the President of the College to be present 
and give him an advisory vote in all matters pertaining to 
the College. Acts 1920, Art. 11. 

When reporters of delegations and committees are not 
delegated to Synod, they shall be advisory members of the 
committees appointed for the matters they report on and 
also of the Synod while their reports are being discussed. 
Acts 1904, Art. 15. 



CHURCH MANUAL 39 



Reports. 

a. All reports not appearing in the Agendum must be 
laid before Synod in printed form. Copies of the 
reports of the Advisory Committee also must be laid 
before the meeting', printed or otherwise. 

b. All reports submitted to Synod must be incorpor- 
ated in the Acts unless otherwise decided. 

c. The committees themselves determine whether their 
reporters are to represent them at Synod. Acts 
1920, p. 27-3. 

All matters considered in committee of the whole must 
be inscribed in the minutes but shall not be included in the 
printed Acts of Synod. The disposition shall be left to 
the officers. Acts 1894, Art. 74. 

The final draft of the Acts and the decision as to what 
is to be placed in the Supplements rests, since 1886, with 
the officers. The Stated Clerk prepares them for the press 
and is also entrusted with their publication and mailing. 
Every office-bearer of our churches receives a copy. Acts 
1904, Art. 111. 

For the benefit of our American and German churches 
an extract of the Minutes is published in "The Banner" 
and "Reformirte Bote," in the last-named paper at the 
usual rates. Acts 1904, Art. 111. 

The Synodical Committee is composed of three mem- 
bers to be appointed at each Synod for a term of two 
years, with the Stated Clerk as member ex-officio and 
secretary. 

A Synodical Treasurer is appointed at each Synod for 
the term of two years to administer its finances and to sub- 
mit to every Synod a plan for the distribution of its ex- 
penses among the several Classes. The treasurers of the 
general Church funds and their alternates are appointed 
by the respective committees. These treasurers: 



40 CHURCH MANUAL 

a. receive the collections and contributions through 
the Classical treasurers and render an account of 
them per Classis once a month; 

b. upon receipt, send at their earliest convenience a 
postal card receipt, mentioning the number of "De 
Wachter^' in which publication is to be made; 

c. at the annual meeting they submit an annual re- 
port containing a statement of the contribution of 
each Classis, and a detailed account of disburse- 
ments. The proper committees, after approving 
these reports, publish them in "De Wachter" and 
*'The Banner.'' 

The respective secretaries must incorporate these re- 
ports in their reports to Synod. Acts 1908, Art. 17-2-3. 

In the constitutions of the various committees an 
article shall be inserted requiring every secretary to keep 
a duplicate record of all receipts and disbursements. 

Auditing Committee. 

An auditing committee shall be appointed by each 
Synod to examine the books of the Treasurer of all synod- 
ical funds. Acts 1918, Art. 27-4. 

Fiscal Year. 

The fiscal year runs from January 1 to December 31. 
Acts 1920, Art. 43-19. 

Standing Committees are chosen in their entirety by 
each Synod to serve till the next Synod. Acts 1898, Art. 98. 

Church Papers. 

For the supervision of our Church Papers, "The Ban- 
ner" and "De Wachter", the Synod appoint a committee 
of seven members incorporated as ''The Publication Com- 
mittee of the Christian Reformed Church.'' Four mem- 
bers of this committee are chosen by one Synod and three 
by the following. 



CHURCH MANUAL 41 



RULES FOR CHURCH VISITATION 



GENERAL RULES 

Church Visitation that according to Art. 44 of the 
Church Order must be made annually in the congregation, 
requires for its orderly procedure the following: 

a. Every Classis appoints from its midst two members 
and an equal number of alternates, with the in- 
struction to examine the conditions of the congre- 
gations within its boundaries. 

b. The visitors notify the consistory at least eight days 
beforehand of the day and the hour of their arrival. 

c. All members of the consistory see to it that they at- 
tend the meeting designed for church-visitation. 
Every member that remains absent is bound to give 
the reason of liis absence to this meeting. If not 
one-half of the members are present, no church- 
visitation can be made. 

d. The president of the consistory sees to it that all 
the books of the congregation are present at the 
meeting for examination of the visitors. 

e. One of the visitors functions as president and the 
other as clerk of the consistory, and in the church 
to which either belongs, he takes his seat with the 
members of the consistory and the other one func- 
tions as president and clerk both. 

THE EXAMINATION 

Questions to the Complete Consistory 

a. Have you two preaching services regularly on the 
Sabbath, once from a text freely chosen, and once 



42 CHURCH MANUAL 

after the order of the Heidelberg Catechism, so 
that no Lord's Day is omitted? 

fe. Does the consistory determine the matter to be 
read in the absence of a minister? 

c. Is Communion celebrated at least four times an- 
nually after a preparatory sermon and followed by 
an applicatory sermon? 

d. Is family-, sick-, and poor visiting regularly made 
by the members of the consistory according to the 
requirements of their offices? 

e. Does the consistory attend to it that catechetical 
instruction is given regularly? 

f. Are the members of the consistory elected accord- 
ing to the Church Order, and in case of retirement, 
does this take place according to the established 
order? 

g. Have the forms of unity been subscribed by all 
the members of the consistory, minister, elders and 
deacons, and when there is a church-school, by the 
principal? 

h. Does the consistory meet at regular intervals ac- 
cording to the need of the congregation and are the 
acts properly recorded and kept? 

i. Are all matters that come up considered according 
to the ecclesiastical rules? 

j. Is church discipline exercised faithfully according 
to the Word of God and the rules of the Church? 

k. Is censura morum held among the members of the 
consistory before every administration of the 
Lord's Supper? 

1. Do the parents see to it that their children make use 
as much as possible of the schools that are in har- 
mony with Christian Reformed principles? 



CHURCH MANUAL 43 

m. Are moneys and deeds of property of the admin- 
istration of the church as well as of the poor thus 
kept in a safe place, that there can be no cause of 
distrust, nor difficulties in case of retirement or 
death? 

n. Is the church active according to ability for the ex- 
tension of the Kingdom within as well as without its 
boundaries? 

o. Is the spiritual condition of the congregation sat- 
isfactory? Are unity, peace and love present? 

p. Do the children of the congregation quite generally 
assume their prerogatives and responsibilities as 
they come to years of discretion? 

q. Are the collections as prescribed by Classis and Sy- 
nod taken according to the respective rules? 

r. Is the consistory aware whether there are any mem- 
bers of secret organizations in the congregation, 
and if so, are they disciplined? 

s. Are you engaged in the abolition of the so-called 
baptized-member-system? 

Questions to the Elders and Deacons, while the Minister 
or Ministers are Absent 

a. Is the minister faithful to the Word of God and the 
Church Order in the exercise of the Ministry of the 
Word and in the administration of the Sacraments? 

b. Does he regularly give catechetical instruction, 
does he visit the sick faithfully and does he attend 
to family visiting with the aid of the elders? 

c. Does he manifest himself in his family and public 
life as a godly man, and does he study diligently? 

d. Does he use the Forms of the Church in the exer- 
cise of his office and does he conduct public worship 
unto edification? 

e. Has he a sufficient income corresponding to the 
needs of a well-ordered family? 



44 CHURCH MANUAL 

Questions to the Minister or Ministers and Deacons in 
the absence of Elders 

a. Do the elders regularly attend the congregational 
gatherings and the consistory meetings? 

b. Do they assist the pastor faithfully in all things? 

c. Do they visit the congregation as much as possible 
and do they endeavor to prevent or to remove all 
offense? 

d. Do they visit the catechetical classes from time to 
time to see how they are conducted and attended, 
and when necessary do they assist the pastor in 
catechetical instruction? 

e. Do they conduct themselves in their family and pub- 
lic life as examples for the congregation? 

Questions to the Minister or Ministers and Elders in the 
absence of the Deacons 

a. Do the deacons attend regularly the congregational 
meetings and the meetings of the consistory, and if 
there are such, also the deacons^ meetings? 

b. Do they faithfully discharge their duties to the 
poor and the orphans? 

c. Are the collections counted in the presence of the 
minister or of one or more of the elders? 

d. Do they administer the funds with discretion in 
consultation with the minister and elders; do they 
make double entry of the receipts and disburse- 
ments and do they give an account of these at set 
times? 

e. Do they show themselves in their family and public 
life as exemplary christians? 

At the conclusion of their visitation of all the churches, 
the Visitors shall prepare a report of their findings and 
acts and submit it to the first meeting of Classis. 



CHURCH MANUAL 45 

ARTICLE 51 
The Missionary Work of the Church is regu- 
lated by the General Synod in a Mission Order. 

Missionaries : — 

The calling and sending of Missionary Ministers shall 
be the task of a local church — if, however, circumstances 
demand, the calling and sending is to be done by a com- 
bination of churches in the manner determined by these 
churches themselves, subject to the stipulation of Synod 
and Classis. Acts 1912, Art. 20. 

Synod of 1918 decided, that 

1. Separation of the official and the membership rela- 
tion in special circumstances, as in the case of our 
missionaries, cannot be considered contrary to Re- 
formed Church Polity. 

2. That the Reformed principles of Church Polity re- 
garding membership as also regarding the obliga- 
tions of the consistory with respect to the members 
and the administration of the Sacraments, demand 
that our missionaries in our present mission field, 
though they must remain officially connected with 
the sending church, must, as members, belong to 
the Rehoboth congregation. Acts 1918, Art. 52, 
p. 57, (l)-(2). 

Lay -Workers : — 

Inasmuch as it does not militate against Reformed 
Church Polity to employ unordained missionaries in the 
mission field, and inasmuch as there are localities in our 
mission field where such helpers may be used to good ad- 
vantage, the employment of lay-workers for such places 
is to be recommended, always, however, with the consent 
and under the supervision of the synodical delegates; and 
their ecclesiastical status rests only in the mandate they 
have received from the sending church or churches. Acts 
1914, Art. 52, 11, 3. 



46 CHURCH MANUAL 

Eielcls: (Jews, Mormons, Heathen) — 

Jews. The missionary work among the Jews has been 
delegated to the Classes Hackensack and Hudson, and the 
Classis Illinois. These labor respectively in the cities of 
Paterson, N. J., and Chicago, 111. These Classes have 
charge of all the work in their respective fields, according 
to Rules approved by the Synod of 1918 and 1920, re- 
spectively. 

Since 1918 no synodical delegates for Jewish Missions 
are to be appointed any more. | Only a General Treasurer 
and his alternate are appointed by Synod*. Acts 1918, 

Art. 27. 

Mormons. The missionary work among the Mormons 
has been delegated to the Classis Pella. In case Classis 
Pella intends to continue the work, Synod advises that an 
ordained Minister of the Word be called for that field, and 
pledges the support for this mission as formerly. Acts 
1918, Art. 27-B-3. 

Heathen Mission (Indian and Foreign.) For the mat- 
ters of Heathen Missions Synod regularly appoints a Dele- 
gation consisting of one member from each Classis to 
serve for the term of two years. This Delegation chooses 
from their own number an Executive Committee, that at- 
tends to urgent matters. Acts 1914, Art. 52-ii-l. 

The various mission posts are under the supervision of 
the sending churches touching confession and life of the 
missionary force, and also of the converts, together with 
the ordering of internal affairs. Cf . Rules. 

China:— 

Our Church commences its missionary work in China, 
and not in the Sudan. Acts 1920, Art. 34-2. 

Our missionaries are to labor during the first two 
or four years preferably in consultation with a Church of 
Reformed Confession in the mission field. Acts 1920, 
Art. 34-4. 



CHURCH MANUAL 47 

Director of Missions: — 

Synod appoints a Secretary of Missions especially con- 
nected with the Board of Heathen Missions, but also 
charged to plead for and promote the interests of the 
Home and Jewish Missions. Acts 1920, Art. 34-8. His 
work is described in the Rules for Director of Missions. 

ARTICLE 52 

Inasmuch as different languages are spoken in 
the churches, the necessary translations shall be 
made in the ecclesiastical assemblies, and in the 
publication of recommendations, instructions and 

decisions. 



CHURCH MANUAL 49 

OF DOCTRINES, SACRAMENTS AND OTHER 
CEREMONIES. 



ARTICLE 53 
The Ministers of the Word of God and likewise 
the Professors of Theology (which also behooves 
the other Professors and School Teachers) shall 
subscribe to the Three Formulas of Unity, namely, 
the Belgic Confession of Faith, the Heidelberg 
Catechism, and the Canons of Dordrecht, 1618-'19, 
and the Ministers of the Word who refuse to do so 
shall de facto be suspended from their office by the 
Consistory or Classis until they shall have given 
a full statement, and if they obstinately persist in 
refusing, they shall be deposed from their office. 

The Formula of Subscription for Ministers, etc., must 
be inscribed in the Consistorial as well as in the Classical 
Minute Book. It is also customary that candidates sign it 
after passing their classical examination. Acts 1906, 
Art. 35, 5b. 

ARTICLE 54 
Likewise the Elders and Deacons shall sub- 
scribe to the aforesaid Formulas of Unity. 

ARTICLE 55 
To ward off false doctrines and errors that 
multiply exceedingly through heretical writings, 
the Ministers and Elders shall use the means of 
teaching, of refutation, or warning, and of ad- 
monition, as well in the Ministry of the Word as in 
Christian teaching and family-visiting. 



50 CHURCH MANUAL 

ARTICLE 56 
The Covenant of God shall be sealed unto the 
children of Christians by Baptism, as soon as the 
administration thereof is feasible, in the public 
assembly when the Word of God is preached. 

Only in critical emergency and with the consent and 
in the presence of the consistory may Baptism be admin- 
istered to sick children or adults outside of the meeting 
of the congregation; also it shall not be administered to 
condemned criminals, except with advice of classical 
delegates. 

Baptism, administered by denominations, societies or 
persons that have formally broken with the trinitarian 
faith and manifest this rupture in the administration as 
often as a child is baptized, can no more be recognized as 
Christian Baptism. For the rest all Baptisms must be 
held valid, whether administered to children or to adults, 
whenever administered in or in behalf of a group of chris- 
tians by a minister of the Word called and recognized as 
such by them and in the Name of the Father, of the Son, 
and of the Holy Spirit. (This article of the Synod of 
1899 of the Reformed Church of the Netherlands is recog- 
nized by usage in our churches.) 

Parents, presenting their children for baptism accord- 
ing to Holy Scripture and Church Order must both, or at 
least one of them, have owned their own Baptism by per- 
sonal profession of faith. Acts 1898, Art. 94. 

Those under discipline of abstention shall not present 
their infants for baptism, nor answer to the questions of 
the Form. Acts 1892, Art. 49. 

The Baptism of adopted waifs is left to the discretion 
of the consistories. Acts 1910, Art. 67, vi. 

ARTICLE 57 

The Ministers shall do their utmost to the emd 
that the father present his child for Baptism. 



CHURCH MANUAL 51 



ARTICLE 58 
In the ceremony of Baptism, both of childrem 
and of adults, the Minister shall use the respective 
forms drawn up for the administration of this 
Sacrament. 

ARTICLE 59 
Adults are through Baptism incorporated into 
the Christian Church, and are accepted as mem- 
bers of the Church, and are therefore obliged also 
to partake of the Lord's Supper, which they shall 
promise to do at their Baptism. 

ARTICLE 60 
The names of those baptized, together with 
those of the parents, and likewise the date of birth 
and baptism, shall be recorded. 

ARTICLE 61 
None shall be admitted to the Lord's Supper 
except those who according to the usage of the 
Church with which they unite themselves have 
made a confession of the Reformed Religion, be- 
sides being reputed to be of a godly walk, without 
which those who come from other Churches shall 
not be admitted. 

1. In the examination of those who desire to be ad- 
mitted to the Lord's Supper, use shall be made 
chiefly of the Compendium. It shall be demanded 
of all who apply for admission that they be sound 
in faith and blameless in conduct, as has always 
been demanded in the Reformed Church. The 
names of those whose examination resulted favor- 
ably shall be made known to the congregation at 



52 CHURCH MANUAL 

least one Sunday before public confession, that it 
may become evident whether there are objections 
to their admission. A. B., 56-57. 
2. Synod of 1890, Art. 61, formulated the questions 
used at the public confession as follows: 

a) Do you acknowledge the doctrine contained in 
the Old and New Testaments and in the Articles 
of the Christian faith and taught in this chris- 
tian church to be the true and complete doc- 
trine of salvation? 

b) Have you resolved by the grace of God to ad- 
here to this doctrine; to reject all heresies re- 
pugnant thereto and to lead a new, godly life? 

c) Will you submit to church government, and in 
case you should become delinquent, to Church 
Discipline? 

All those that come to us from other denominations 
must be examined as to their confessional soundness and 
fitness to partake of Communion, because of the sanctity 
of the Lord's Supper. The Form of Reception is left to 
the discretion of the consistories. The congregation, 
however, must be given an opportunity to present pos- 
sible objections. Acts 1904, Art. 125, 6. 

In the examination by the consistory the question 
shall always be put to those who desire to be received as 
members and admitted to the Lord's Supper, whether they 
belong to any society bound by oath or solemn vow. 
Acts 1867, Art. 15. 

ARTICLE 62 
Every Church shall administer the Lord's Sup- 
per in such a manner as it shall judge most con- 
ducive to edification; provided, however, that the 
outward ceremonies as prescribed in God's Word 
be not changed and all superstition be avoided, and 
that at the conclusion of the sermon and the usual 



CHURCH MANUAL 53 

prayers, the Form for the Administration of the 
Lord's Supper, together with the prayer for that 
purpose, shall be read. 

Touching the use of the Individual Cup, Synod of 
1918, Art. 42, xv, and 1920, Art. 26, 14, 15, decided; 

To establish no rule in this matter, but to leave it to 
the discretion of the consistories. 

ARTICLE 63 
The Lord's Supper shall be administered at 
least every two or three months. 

ARTICLE 64 
The administration of the Lord's Supper shall 
take place only there where there is supervision of 
Elders, according to the ecclesiastical order and in 
a public gathering of the Congregation. 

1. It is permitted to administer the Lord's Supper in 
the homes of those who have been ill for many 
years, provided the congregation be represented. 
Acts 1914, Art. 19. 

2. The administration of the Lord's Supper must al- 
ways be preceded by a Preparatory sermon and fol- 
lowed by an Applicatory sermon. Acts 1912, 
Art. 72, 9. 

ARTICLE 65 
Funeral sermons or funeral services shall not 
be introduced. 

Carrying corpses into the church building at funeral 
services belongs to the indifferent things (Acts 1886, Art. 
57, 3), and cannot as such be considered improper, but 
whether it is to be allowed in the congregation shall rest 
with the discretion of the consistory. Acts 1888, Art. 36. 



54 CHURCH MANUAL 

ARTICLE 66 

In time of war, pestilence, national calamities, ■ j 
and other great afflictions, the pressure of which is || 
felt throughout the Churches, it is fitting that the 
Classes proclaim a Day of Prayer. 

ARTICLE 67 

The Churches shall observe, in addition to the 
Sunday, also Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, As- 
cension Day, Pentecost, the Day of Prayer, the Na- 
tional Thanksgiving Day, and Old and New Year's 
Day. 

Sabbath Keeping. Dordrecht, 1618-'19. 

1. There is in the Fourth Command of the Divine Law 
a ceremonial and an ethical element. 

2. The ceremonial element was the Rest of the 
Seventh day after Creation, and the strict observ- 
ance of that day imposed especially on the Jewish 
people. 

3. The ethical element, that a certain definite day be 
appropriated for religion and for that purpose so 
much rest as is needful for religion and its hal- 
lowed contemplation. 

4. The Sabbath of the Jews having been abolished, the 
Day of the Lord must be solemnly hallowed by the 
Christians. 

5. The day since the times of the Apostles has already 
been observed by the primitive catholic church. 

6. This day must be so consecrated to religion that on 
that day we rest from all toilsome works, except 
those of charity and present necessity. Also from 
all such recreations as hinder religion. 



CHURCH MANUAL 55 

ARTICLE 68 

The Ministers shall on Sunday explain briefly 
the sum of Christian Doctrine comprehended im 
the Heidelberg Catechism so that as much as pos- 
sible the explanation shall be annually completed, 
according to the division of the Catechism itself, 
for that purpose. 

With a view to dangers from without that threaten 
sound doctrine, and in consideration of the great need of 
and the very meager interest in the regular development 
of dogmatical truths, Synod emphasizes the time-honored 
custom of catechism preaching, and the Classes are urged 
to give proper attention to this matter, that the regular 
consideration of the catechism may be observed. Acts 
1902, Art. 103; 110. 

ARTICLE 69 

In the Churches only the 150 Psalms of David, 
the Ten Commandments, the Lord's Prayer, the 
Twelve Articles of Faith, the Songs of Mary, Zach- 
arias and Simeon, the Morning and Evening 
Hymns, and the Hymn of Prayer before the ser- 
mon shall be sung. 

1. The U. P. edition of the Psalter is recommended 
for use in the American-speaking churches. Acts 
1914, Art. 16. 

2. For Sunday Schools and Societies that use the 
American language, the U. P. Bible Songs are rec- 
ommended for singing. 

3. Synod disapproves of a choir in public worship, not 
in so far as it leads the congregational singing, but 
when singing alone. Acts 1904, Art. 125, 11. 



56 CHURCH MANUAL 

ARTICLE 70 

Since it is proper that the matrimonial state be 
confirmed in the presence of Christ's Church, ac- 
cording to the Form for that purpose, the Consis- 
tories shall attend to it. 

Marriages within the three most intimate degrees of 
relationship are to be condemned as improper. Those of 
less close blood-relationship also are to be discouraged, 
but touching eventual cases, the ecclesiastical assemblies 
concerned shall judge. Acts 1896, Art. 62, 3b. 



CHURCH MANUAL 57 



OF CENSURE AND ECCLESIASTICAL 
ADMONITION. 



ARTICLE 71 
As Christian Discipline is of a spiritual nature, 
and exempts no one from Civil trial or punishment 
by the Authorities, so also besides Civil punish- 
ment there is need of Ecclesiastical Censures, to 
reconcile the sinner with the Church and his neigh- 
bor and to remove the offense out of the Church 
of Christ. 

1. Parents that do not send their minor children to 
attend catechetical instruction, shall be admon- 
ished, and if they persist in their neglect they 
shall be disciplined, and if this is of no avail, they 
shall be excommunicated. 

2. Parents who, for conscientious objections, dare not 
have their children baptized, shall be patiently in- 
structed and admonished, and if this is of no avail, 
they shall be disciplined. Acts 1888, Art. 57b. 

3. If it becomes manifest that a member belongs to 
a secret, oathbound organization, and he refuses to 
leave such organization, he shall be disciplined. 
A. B. Art. 55. 

ARTICLE 72 
In case any one errs in doctrine or offends in 
conduct as long as the sin is of a private character, 
not giving public offense, the rule clearly pre- 
scribed by Christ in Matth. 18 shall be followed, 

ARTICLE 73 
Secret sins of which the sinner repents, after 



58 CHURCH MANUAL 

being admonished by one person in private or in 
the presence of two or three witnesses, shall not 
be laid before the Consistory. 

ARTICLE 74 
If any one, having been admonished in love 
concerning a secret sin by two or three persons, 
does not give heed, or otherwise has committed a 
public sin, the matter shall be reported to the 
Consistory. 

Unions. Acts 1916, Art. 36, 9. 

1. There are not sufficient data to show that member- 
ship of the Church is incompatible with member- 
ship of the so-called Neutral Unions, unless it can 
be established that a certain Union gives constitu- 
tional warrant to a certain sin or sins, or shows in 
its regular activities that it champions sin. 

2. As long as we are not fully assured in this matter 
and cannot maintain the position once assumed, 
the present standing of many of our church-mem- 
bers as "tolerable'' is undesirable. 

Synod rules that no one can remain an object of 
church discipline who persists in the resignation of his 
membership. Acts 1918, Art. 53, iv. 

Socialism. 

Consistories shall assume toward Socialism the same 
attitude as towards all departures from our principles. 
Acts 1912, Art. 47, iii. 

1. Those baptized in infancy, having arrived to years 
of discretion, but that do not make a profession of 
faith, regardless of their walk otherwise, become, 
as unfaithful baptized members, the objects of 
church discipline, and if they persist in their sin, 
are to be excluded from the church. 



CHURCH M A K U A L 59 

2. In case of change of residence, such unfaithful 
baptized members may not be given a letter of dis- 
mission, but at best a certificate of baptism and a 
statement of their conduct. 

3. Before the consistory proceeds to exclusion of un- 
faithful baptized members: 

a) an announcement must be made to the congre- 
gation with an exhortation for intercession, and 

b) then the advice of Classis must be sought. 

4. The exclusion of unfaithful baptized members 
ought to take place by official announcement to the 
church, and notice sent to the parties concerned, 
that they, because of their persistent unfaithful- 
ness as members of the covenant, in spite of all ec- 
clesiastical admonition, henceforth can no more be 
considered as belonging to the church. 

5. Excluded unfaithful baptized members, that re- 
turn with penitence and repentance, cannot be re- 
ceived again into the church except 'oy profession 
of faith, while in every concrete case it is left to 
the discretion of the consistory whether a separate 
confession of sin shall be required. Acts 1918, 
Art. 52, viii-f. 

Those baptized that have come to years of discretion 
and refuse to attend catechetical instruction, shall be ad- 
monished and if they persist, be excommunicated. 
A. B. Art. 62. 

ARTICLE 75 

The reconciliation of all such sins as are of 
their nature of a public character, or have become 
public because the admonition of the Church was 
despised, shall take place (upon sufficient evidence 
of repentance) in such a manner as the Consistory 
shall deem conducive to the edification of each 
Church. Whether in particular cases this shall 



60 CHURCH MANUAL 

take place in public, shall, when there is a differ- 
ence of opinion about it in the Consistory, be con- 
sidered with the advice of two neighboring 
Churches or of the Classis. 

In case of transgression of the Seventh Command be- 
fore marriage, the form of confession is left to the discre- 
tion of the consistory, provided the confession is made at 
least before the whole consistory, and the names be an- 
nounced to the congregation. Acts 1908, Art. 54, ix. 

ARTICLE 76 
Such as obstinately reject the admonition of 
the Consistory, and likewise those who have com- 
mitted a public or otherwise gross sin, shall be sus- 
pended from the Lord's Supper. And if he, having 
been suspended, after repeated admonitions, shows 
no signs of repentance, the Consistory shall at last 
proceed to the extreme remedy, namely, excom- 
munication, agreeably to the form adopted for 
that purpose according to the Word of God. But 
no one shall be excommunicated except with con- 
sent of the Classis. 

ARTICLE 77 
After the suspension from the Lord's Table, 
and subsequent admonitions, and before proceed- 
ing to excommunication, the obstinacy of the sin- 
ner shall be publicly made known to the congre- 
gation, the offense explained, together with the 
care bestowed upon him, in reproof, suspension 
from the Lord's Supper, and repeated admoni- 
tion, and the congregation shall be exhorted to 
speak to him and to pray for him. There shall be 



I 



CHURCH MANUAL 61 

three such admonitions. In the first the name of 
the sinner shall not be mentioned that he be some- 
what spared. In the second, with the consent of 
the Classis, his name shall be mentioned. In the 
third the congregation shall be informed that (un- 
less he repent) he will be excluded from the fel- 
lowship of the Church, so that his excommunica- 
tion, in case he remains obstinate, may take place 
with the tacit approbation of the Church. The in- 
terval between the admonitions shall be left to 
the discretion of the Consistory. 

ARTICLE 78 
Whenever anyone who has been excommuni- 
cated desires to become reconciled to the Church 
in the way of penitence, it shall be announced to 
the Congregation, either before the celebration of 
the Lord's Supper, or at some other opportune 
time, in order that (in as far as no one can men- 
tion anything against him to the contrary) he 
may with profession of his conversion be publicly 
reinstated, according to the Form for that 
purpose. 

ARTICLE 79 
When Ministers of the Divine Word, Elders or 
Deacons, have committed any public, gross sin, 
which is a disgrace to the Church, or worthy of 
punishment by the Authorities, the Elders and 
Deacons shall immediately by preceding sentence 
of the Consistory thereof and of the nearest 
Church, be suspended or expelled from their of- 
fice, but the Ministers shall only be suspended. 



62 CHURCH MANUAL 

Whether these shall be entirely deposed from of- 
fice, shall be subject to the judgment of the Clas- 
sis, with the advice of the Delegates of the (Par- 
ticular) Synod mentioned in Article 11. 

Synod decides that the rule is that the re-instatement 
of deposed Ministers of the Word must be effected by the 
same Classis that deposed him. Acts 1918, Art. 52, i. 

ARTICLE 80 
Furthermore among the gross sins, which are 
worthy of being punished with suspension or de- 
position from office, these are the principal ones: 
false doctrine or heresy, public schism, public 
blasphemy, simony, faithless desertion of office or 
intrusion upon that of another, perjury, adultery, 
fornication, theft, acts of violence, habitual 
drunkenness, brawling, filthy lucre; in short, all 
sins and gross offenses, as render the perpetrators 
infamous before the world, and which in any pri- 
vate member of the Church would be considered 
worthy of excommunication. 

ARTICLE 81 
The Ministers of the Word, Elders and Dea- 
cons, shall before the celebration of the Lord's 
Supper exercise Christian censure among them- 
selves and in a friendly spirit admonish one an- 
other with regard to the discharge of their office. 

ARTICLE 82 
To those who remove from the Congregation a 
letter or testimony concerning their profession 
and conduct shall be given by the Consistory, 



CHURCH MANUAL 53 

signed by two; or in the case of letters, which are 
given under the seal of the Church, signed by one. 

Members or baptized members moving to other local- 
ities where no Christian Reformed Church is found, may 
retain their membership in the church which they leave, 
if they notify the consistory to this effect. If they neg- 
lect to do this, their membership lapses in one year and 
six weeks. The membership of such members as are lo- 
cated where no Christian Reformed Church is found must 
be transferred to the nearest church. If this is omitted, 
their membership lapses after one year and six weeks. 
Acts 1910, Art. 67, x. 

No letter of dismission will be granted to those that 
request it because of grievances against other members of 
the congregation; these disagreements must first be re- 
moved in the congregation where membership is held, ac- 
cording to the rule given by the Lord. Acts 1898, 
Art. 89, 6. 

Letters with remarks must be accepted, then to fur- 
ther pursue the proper ecclesiastical course. A. B. Art. 64. 

According to Art. 82 of the Church Order, letters of 
dismission must be given those removing from the congre- 
gation. And they cannot be received as members of an- 
other congregation until they there present their letter, 
while in case they do not present their letter their mem- 
bership will ultimately lapse. Acts 1914, Art. 63, 2. 

Letters from Other Churches. 

a. Letters from the Foreign Churches mentioned un- 
der Art. 85 of the Church Order, are recognized as 
fully valid, so that persons presenting such letters 
are without further question admitted as members. 

b. Persons coming from non-afiiliated Churches, but 
nevertheless considered as Churches that adhere to 
the Reformed Confession, shall, if proven to be 
sound in faith and life, be received by letter, pro- 
vided they promise to submit to the supervision 



64 CHURCH MANUAL 

and discipline of the consistory. This rule also ap- 
plies to members of the present Christian Reformed 
Church in the Netherlands. Acts 1910, Art. 67, v. 

Persons coming from the Ned. Herv. Kerk shall not be 
accepted merely by letter, but in their case Art. 61 shall 
apply. 

Letters of baptism of the Ned. Herv. Kerk are received 
on condition that the consistories receiving them have 
the assurance that the parties concerned were baptized in 
the Name of the Triune God. Acts 1902, Art. 128, 66, 

ARTICLE 83 
Furthermore, to the poor, removing for suf- 
ficient reasons, so much money for traveling shall 
be given by the Deacons, as they deem adequate. 
The Consistory and the Deacons shall, however, 
see to it that they be not too much inclined to re- 
lieve their Churches of the poor, with whom they 
would without necessity burden other Churches. 

ARTICLE 84 
No Church shall in any way lord it over other 
Churches, no Minister over other Ministers, no 
Elder or Deacon over other Elders or Deacons. 

ARTICLE 85 
Churches whose usages differ from ours 
merely in non-essentials shall not be rejected. 

Correspondence with Foreign Churches is entrusted to 
the Synodical Committee, which is to report concerning 
it to Synod annually. A. B., Art. 5. 

a. Correspondence with affiliated Churches known to 
adhere to the Eeformed Standards, must be sought 
and maintained more than has been the case here- 
tofore. 



li 



CHURCH MANUAL 65 

b. This correspondence, however, is not to consist only 
in an exchange of greetings and formal calls, but 
also: 

1) In sending delegates to each other's major as- 
semblies, that there they may have advisory 
vote; 

2) In taking mutual heed lest there be deviation 
from Reformed principle in doctrine, worship 
or discipline; 

3) In mutual counsel what attitude to assume to- 
wards others; 

4) In serving each other with advice, especially in 
case of proposed revision of Confession and 
Liturgy. Acts 1914, Art. 17, 7c. 

c. That such correspondence be maintained with: 

1) The Reformed Churches of the Netherlands. 

2) The Old Ref. Churches of Bentheim and Ost- 
friesland. 

3) The Ref. Churches of South Africa. 
And in our own country: 

4) The Ref. Churches in America. 

5) The U. P. Church. 

6) Synod and General Synod, Ref. Presb. Church. 

7) Associate Presb. Church. 

While the Ref. Churches of the Netherlands have ex- 
pressed their readiness on this basic sense to entertain 
correspondence with our Church on this basis, except 
sub. 3, the correspondence with the affiliated churches in 
our country has not as yet progressed beyond the ex- 
change of greetings and formal calls. 

In the appointment of delegates to Synods of other 
Churches, it shall be taken into account as much as pos- 
sible that by sending those who live in the vicinity, ex- 
penses can be saved. 



66 CHURCH MANUAL 

ARTICLE 86 

These Articles, relating to the lawful order of 
the Church, have been so drafted and adopted by 
common consent, that they (if the profit of the 
Church demand otherwise) may and ought to be 
altered, augmented or diminished. However, no 
particular Congregation, Classis, (or Synod) shall 
be at liberty to do so, but they shall show all dili- 
gence in observing them, until it be otherwise 
ordained by the General Synod. 



CHURCH MANUAL 69 

MINISTER'S CONSISTORIAL CREDENTIAL. 

The Consistory of the Christian Reformed Church of 

declares by these presents that the Rev. 

in this Church, from 19.... to 19.... 

has ministered in the office of Minister of the Divine Word 
faithfully and diligently, adhering in doctrine and life to 
the Word of God. as interpreted by our Forms of Unity 
and the Church Order. 

And considering that sufficient reasons have been ad- 
duced for the consistory to acquiesce in his acceptance of 
the call of the church of , we unhesitatingly rec- 
ommend him to the Classis of and to the Church 

of , with the prayer that the great King of the 

Church, who says to this of His servants "go,^^ and he 
goeth, and to that one "come" and he cometh, may make 
him there also a rich blessing. 

Resolved to grant him this testimonial of dismission at 

our meeting of 19.... 

The Consistory of the above named Church, 

President 

.., Clerk 

Classis in which the congregation of 

belongs, approves the above credential and transfers our 

beloved brother in the Ministry to the Classis of 

in whose midst our brother expects to serve the church 

of as pastor and minister. 

On behalf of said Classis, 



Done this day of 19.... 

The Classical Committee of the Classis of 

having examined the above credentials, approves them 
and herewith authorizes the counselor of the church of 

to proceed to the installation. 

The above named Classical Committee, 



70 CHURCH MANUAL 



CLASSICAL CREDENTIALS 



L. S. 



To the Classis of 

of the Christian Reformed Church, 

to convene 19...., 

at 

The Consistory of Christian Re- 
formed Church, at , has appointed 

the brethren 

and elder 

as delegates to represent said Church at the meeting of 
the Classis above referred to. The alternate delegates 

are: elder and 

We hereby instruct and authorize them to take part in 
all the deliberations and transactions of Classis regarding 
all matters legally coming before the meeting and trans- 
acted in agreement with the Word of God according to the 
conception of it embodied in the doctrinal standards of 
the Christian Reformed Church, as well as in harmony 
with our Church Order. 

Instructions: 



By order of the Consistory, 
President 

Clerk 

Done in Consistory 19 



CHURCH MANUAL 71 



CALL-LETTER. 

The Rev 



Grace, Mercy and Peace from God our Father and Jesus 
Christ our Lord. 

The Consistory of the Christian Reformed Church at 
herewith has the honor and the pleasure to in- 
form you, that from a previously made nomination of 

you, Rev , have been chosen by 

vote at a legal congregational meeting held on 

the day of 19..,. to be their Minister of 

the Word and of the Sacraments. 

On behalf of said congregation we therefore extend 
to you the call, and come to you with the urgent request: 
"Come over and help us." 

The labors that we expect of you — should it please God 
to send you to us — are: Preaching twice on the Lord's 
Day, attending to catechetical instruction, to family vis- 
iting and calling on the sick, and furthermore of all things 
that pertain to the work of a faithful and diligent servant 
of the Lord, all these agreeably to the Word of God, as in- 
terpreted by our Forms of Unity and the Church Order of 
Dordrecht, as amended by the rules of our Church. 

Convinced that the laborer is worthy of his hire, and 
to encourage you in the discharge of your duties, and to 
free you from all worldly cares and avocations while you 
are dispensing spiritual blessings to us, we, the Elders and 

Deacons of the Chr. Ref. Church do promise 

and oblige ourselves to pay you the sum of dol- 
lars, in payments, yearly, and every year as 

long as you continue the Minister of this Church, together 
with free use of parsonage, the free use of a telephone 

Moreover, we promise free transportation of yourself, 
your family and your belongings (under provisions as stip- 
ulated in Arts. 5, 10 and 11 of our Church Order). 



72 



CHURCH MANUAL 



Now, dear Reverend Brother, may the King of His 
Church so impress this call upon your heart and give you 
light, that you may arrive at a decision that is pleasing to 
Him and if possible for us mutually gratifying. 

Done in Consistory, this day of 19...., and 

subscribed with our names. 



The Consistory of the Chr. Ref. Church of., 



Deacons 



Elders 



.Counselor. 











CHURCH 


MANUAL 








73 






r^ 




: 1 T3 <D : ;^ 
















0- 

c 
a 






med cor 
ction an 
, and w 












a 

■ 7- 
'v 

a 


> 0) 

• 


;zi 








^ p a 

C ?M o 












PL 






o 




c: 






^ "i *S 




^ 
















hH 




■+-: 






> c 2 




• -|j 




















a. 






o - S 




a 




















X. 






^^^ 




• i- 
















S 




C 






^ o .S ^* 


' C 
-(J 


0) 














m 










■^ -M _ t3 0) ^ 


fl 














Q 










.... of 
bject 
hurch 
ry of 
tak 
ntinnt 


o 












© 


. 








^^ ^ U o ^ c 


o 


rr 












CO 










CJ 


-JJ 


^ 












H 

< 

HH 


J 


a 
-(J 

c 
> 

C 


c 


S 

a; 


) baptized memb 
nd consequently 
)f the Chr. Ref. 
3quest the Consis 


o 

C 

.2 

o 


o 


ng of Divine Wo 

ng Catechism .... 

Remarks 






o 

'xn 
O 


U 




«: 




>, c6 cc ^ p; ^ -^ 




Ti 


'rt c^ 




g 






a 




-5^ CO S 0) a» c3 ^ 


o 


r 


S ?r 










r 


C 


g:^.2.S g .^1 


^ 


0) 






0) 






C 

Eh 




He 
(are) 
greg:at 
discipl 
theref 
Churc] 
Christ 




4J 

< 


:t3 Qj 
< O 




o 
Q 




(To 


be 


returned at the earliest possible moment) 




The C€ 
m the... 


jrtif 


icate 


of 












fro 


Christian Reformed Church, of 










has been duly received and acceiDted. 




Dated.. 




19 












Notice 


— T 








T 


^res 


ident 












niprk 




?he above mentioned shall be considered still 


a n 


lember 
il this r 


of 
ece 


the 


..Christian Reformed 
properly signed. 


Church 


unt 


ipt is returned 




Thf 


3 Cei 
it to 
Dat 
Rec 


'tif 


icat 


e of. 














Ser 
















e 
eii 


Sen 

3t ] 


t 














Retui 


•ned 


.... 


.... 















74 



CHURCH MANUAL 



o 

Q 
O 

H 



CO 

J 









o o 

So 

o 
O 

0) 

,^ 
H 



^ .5 

be "^ 

o c 

> «^ 
- o,^ 



o 
o 

U 
O 



«H 



?M cS 



0)^ 

C3 CO r- 



0) a; > 

WO) 
'CXS 02 

; o wj 

^3 »2 ^ rt 

-^ O O 02 

JO ^1^5 



0) 






0)' 



02 C 05 J3 ^.^ 






CO ^ 



2 — 

D 

Q 
U 

N 

h 



g 
2: 



♦i 



o 
O 



o 
Q 



(To be returned at the earliest possible moment) 

The Certificate of 

from the Christian Reformed Church, of 

has been duly received and accepted. 

Dated 19 

President 

Clerk 

Notice: — The above mentioned shall be considered still 

a member of the Christian Reformed Church 

until this receipt is returned properly signed. 



of.. 



The Certificate 

Sent to 

Date Sent 

Receipt Returned 



CHURCH MANUAL 77 



FORM OF ORDINATION OF THE MINISTERS 
OF GOD'S WORD 



The sermon and the usual prayers being finished, 

the Minister shall thus speak to the 

congregation: 

Beloved brethren, it is known unto you, that 
we have, at three different times, published the 
name of our brother N., here present, to learn 
whether any person had aught to offer concern- 
ing his doctrine of life, why he might not be or- 
dained to the ministry of the Word. And whereas 
no one hath appeared before us, who hath alleged 
anything lawful against his person, we shall there- 
fore at present, in the name of the Lord, proceed 
to his ordination; for which purpose, you N., and 
all those who are here present, shall first attend to 
a short declaration taken from the word of God, 
touching the institution and the office of pastors 
and ministers of God's Word; where, in the first 
place, you are to observe, that God our heavenly 
Father, willing to call and gather a Church from 
amongst the corrupt race of men unto life eternal, 
doth by a particular mark of his favor use the 
ministry of men therein. 

Therefore, Paul saith, that the Lord Jesus 
Christ hath given some apostles and some proph- 



7S CHURCH MANU AL 

ets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and 
ministers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the 
work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body 
of Christ. Here we see that the holy apostle 
among other things saith, that the pastoral office 
is an institution of Christ. 

What this holy office enjoins, may easily be 
garthered from the very name itself; for as it is 
the duty of a common shepherd, to feed, guide, 
protect and rule the flock committed to his 
charge; so it is with regard to these spiritual shep- 
herds, who are set over the Church, which God 
calleth unto salvation, and counts as sheep of his 
pasture. The pasture, with which these sheep are 
fed, is nothing else but the preaching of the gos- 
pel, accompanied with prayer, and the administra- 
tion of the holy sacraments; the same word of God 
is likewise the staff" with which the flock is guided 
and ruled, consequently it is evident, that the office 
of pastors and ministers of God's Word is. 

First. That they faithfully explain to their 
flock, the Word of the Lord, revealed by the writ- 
ings of the prophets and the apostles; and apply 
the same as well in general as in particular, to the 
edification of the hearers; instructing, admonish- 
ing, comforting and reproving, according to every 
one's need; preaching repentance towards God, 
and reconciliation with him through faith in 
Christ; and refuting with the Holy Scriptures, all 
schisms and heresies which are repugnant to the 
pure doctrine. All this is clearly signified to us 
in Holy Writ, for the Apostle Paul saith, "that 



CHURCH MANUAL 79 

these labor in the Word''; and elsewhere he teach- 
eth, that this must be done "according to the 
measure or rule of faith"; he writes also, that a 
pastor "must hold fast and rightly divide the 
faithful and sincere word which is according to 
the doctrine": likewise, he that prophesieth (that 
is, preacheth God's Word) , speaketh unto men to 
edification, and exhortation and comfort. In an- 
other place he proposes himself as a pattern to 
pastors, declaring that he hath publicly, and from 
house to house, taught and testified repentance 
toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus 
Christ. But particularly we have a clear descrip- 
tion of the office, and ministers of God's Word 
(2 Cor. 5:18, 19, 20), where the apostle thus 
speaketh, "And all things are of God, who hath 
reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath 
given to us (namely, to the apostles and pastors) 
the ministry of reconciliation; to- wit, that God 
was in Christ reconciling the world unto him- 
self, not imputing their trespasses unto them, and 
hath committed unto us the word of reconcilia- 
tion. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, 
as though God did beseech you by us; we pray 
you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." 
Concerning the refutation of false doctrine, the 
same apostle saith (Titus 1 :9) : "That a minister 
must hold fast the faithful Word of God, that he 
may be able by sound doctrine, both to exhort 
and convince the gainsayers." 

Secondly. It is the office of the Ministers, 
publicly to call upon the name of the Lord in be- 



80 CHURCH MANUAL 

half of the whole congregation; for that which 
the apostles say, we will give ourselves contin- 
ually to prayer and to the ministry of the word, 
is common to these pastors with the apostles; to 
which St. Paul alluding, thus speaking to Tim- 
othy: "I exhort, therefore, that first of all sup- 
plications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of 
thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all 
that are in authority," etc. (1 Tim. 2: 1, 2.) 

Thirdly. Their office is to administer the 
sacraments, which the Lord hath instituted as 
seals of his grace: as is evident from the com- 
mand given by Christ to the apostles, and in them 
to all pastors: "Baptize them in the name of 
the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost." Likewise: '^for I have received of the 
Lord, that which also I delivered unto you, that 
the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was 
betrayed," etc. 

Finally, it is the duty of the Ministers of the 
Word, to keep the Church of God in good disci- 
pline, and to govern it in such a manner as the 
Lord hath ordained; for Christ having spoken of 
the Christian discipline, says to his apostles, 
whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound 
in heaven. And Paul will have the ministers to 
know how to rule their own house, since they 
otherwise neither can provide for, nor rule the 
Church of God. This is the reason why the pas- 
tors are in Scripture called stewards of God, and 
bishops, that is, overseers and watchmen, for they 



CHURCH MANUAL 81 

have the oversight of the house of God, wherein 
they are conversant, to the end that everything 
may be transacted v^ith good order and decency; 
and also to open and shut, with the keys of the 
kingdom of heaven, committed to them, accord- 
ing to the charge given them by God. 

From these things may be learned, what a 
glorious work the ministerial office is, since so 
great things are effected by it; yea, how highly 
necessary it is for man's salvation, which is also 
the reason why the Lord will have such an office 
always to remain. For Christ said when he sent 
forth his apostles to officiate in his holy function, 
Lo, I am always with you, even unto the end of 
the world; where we see his pleasure is, that this 
holy office (for the persons to whom he here 
speaketh, could not Uve to the end of the world) 
should always be maintained on earth. And 
therefore Paul exhorteth Timothy, to commit that 
which he had heard of him, to faithful men, who 
are able to teach others, and he also, having or- 
dained Titus minister, further commanded him, 
to ordain elders in every city. (Titus 1: 5.) 

Forasmuch, therefore, as we, for the maintain- 
ing of this office in the Church of God, are now to 
ordain a new minister of the Word, and having 
sufficiently spoken of the office of such persons, 
therefore you N., shall answer to the following 
questions, which shall be proposed to you, to the 
end that it may appear to all here present, that 



82 CHURCH MANUAL 

you are inclined to accept of this office as above 
described. 

First. I ask thee, whether thou feelest in thy 
heart that thou art lawfully called of God's 
Church, and therefore of God himself, to this holy 
ministry? 

Secondly. Whether thou dost believe the 
books of the Old and New Testament to be the 
only Word of God, and the perfect doctrine unto 
salvation, and dost reject all doctrines repugnant 
thereto ? 

Thirdly. Whether thou dost promise faith- 
fully to discharge thy office, according to the same 
doctrine as above described, and to adorn it with 
a godly life: also, to submit thyself, in case thou 
shouldest become delinquent either jin Ufe or 
doctrine, to ecclesiastical admonition, according 
to the public ordinance of the churches? 

Answer.. Yes, truly, with all my heart. 

Then the Minister, who demanded those questions 

of him, while he and other Ministers who are 

present, shall lay their hands'^ on his 

head, shall say: 

God our heavenly Father, who hath called 
thee to his holy ministry, enlighten thee with his 
Holy Spirit, strengthen thee with his hand, and 



* This ceremony shall not be used in the case of those 
who have before been in the ministry. 



CHURCH MANUAL 83 

SO govern thee in thy ministry, that thou mayest 
decently and fruitfully walk therein, to the glory 
of his name, and the propagation of the kingdom 
of his Son Jesus Christ. Amen. 

Then the Minister shall, from the pulpit, exhort 

the ordained Minister, and the congregation 

in the following manner: 

"Take heed, therefore, beloved brother, and 
fellow-servant in Christ, unto thyself and to all 
the flock, over which the Holy Ghost hath made 
thee overseer,to feed the Church of God which he 
hath purchased with his own blood : love Christ 
and feed his sheep, taking the oversight of them 
not by constraint, but willingly: not for filthy 
lucre, but of a ready mind, neither as being lord 
over God's heritage, but as an example to the 
flock. Be an example of believers, in word, in 
conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in 
purity. Give attendance to reading, to exhorta- 
tion, to doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in 
thee, meditate upon those things, give thyself 
wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to 
all; take heed to thy doctrine, and continue stead- 
fast therein. Bear patiently all sufferings, and 
oppressions, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, for 
in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and 
them that hear thee. And when the chief Shep- 
herd shall appear, thou shalt receive a crown of 
glory that fadeth not away." 

"And you likewise, beloved Christians, receive 



84 CHURCH MANUAL 

this your minister in the Lord with all gladness, 
*and hold such in reputation.' Remember that 
God himself through him speaketh unto and be- 
seecheth you. Receive the Word, which he, ac- 
cording to the Scripture, shall preach unto you, 
'not as the word of man, but (as it is in truth) 
the Word of God.' Let the feet of those, that 
preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings 
of good things, be beautiful and pleasant unto 
you. Obey them that have the rule over you, and 
submit yourselves; for they watch for your souls, 
as they that must give account, that they may do 
it with joy, and not with grief: for that is un- 
profitable for you. If you do these things, it shall 
come to pass, that the peace of God shall enter 
into your houses, and that you who receive this 
man in the name of a prophet, shall receive a 
prophet's reward, and through his preaching, be- 
lieving in Christ, shall through Christ, inherit 
life eternal." 

Since no man is of himself fit for any of these 
things, let us call upon God with thanksgiving: 

Merciful Father, we thank thee that it 
hath pleased thee, by the ministry of 
men, to gather a Church to thyself unto 
Kfe eternal, from amongst the lost chil- 
dren of men; we bless thee for so grac- 
iously providing the Church in this place 
with a faithful minister; we beseech thee 
to qualify him daily more and more by 
the Holy Spirit, for the ministry to which 



II 



CHURCH MANUAL 85 

thou hast ordained and called him: en- 
lighten his understanding to compre- 
hend thy holy Word, and give him ut- 
terance, that he may boldly open his 
mouth, to make known and dispense the 
mysteries of the gospel. Endue him 
with wisdom and valor, to rule the 
people aright over which he is set, and 
to preserve them in christian peace, to 
the end that thy Church under his ad- 
ministration and by his good example, 
may increase in number and in virtue. 
Grant him courage to bear the difiicul- 
ties and troubles which he may meet 
with in his ministry, that being strength- 
ened by the comfort of thy .Spirit, he 
may remain steadfast to the end, and be 
received with all faithful servants into 
the joy of his master. Give thy grace 
also to this people and Church, that they 
may becomingly deport themselves to- 
wards this their minister; that they may 
acknowledge him to be sent of Thee; 
that they may receive his doctrine with 
all reverence, and submit themselves to 
his exhortations. To the end that they 
may, by his word, believing in Christ, be 
made partakers of eternal life. Hear us, 
O Father, through thy beloved Son, 
who hath taught us to pray: 

Our Father, etc. 



CHURCH MANUAL 87 



FORM OF ORDINATION OF ELDERS AND 
DEACONS 



When ordained at the same time. But if they are 

ordained separately, this form shall be used 

as occasion requires 

Beloved Christians, you know that we have 
several times published unto you the names of 
our brethren here present, who are chosen to the 
office of elders and deacons in this Chiu'ch, to the 
end that we might know whether any person had 
aught to allege, why they should not be ordained 
in their respective offices; and whereas no one 
hath appeared before us, who hath alleged any- 
thing lawful against them, we shall therefore at 
present, in the name of the Lord, proceed to their 
ordination. 

But first, you, who are to be ordained, and all 
those who are here present, shall attend to a short 
declaration from the word of God concerning the 
institution and the office of elders and deacons. 

Of the elders is to be observed, that the word 
elder or eldest (which is taken from the Old Tes- 
tament, and signijfieth a person who is placed in 
an honorable office of government over others) , is 
applied to two sorts of persons who minister in 



BS CHURCH MANUAL 



the Church of Jesus Christ: for the apostle saith, 
"the elders that rule well, shall be counted worthy 
of double honor, especially they who labor in the 
Word and doctrine." Hence it is evident that 
there were two sorts of elders in the Apostolic 
Church, the former of which did labor in the 
Word and doctrine, and the latter did not. The 
first were the ministers of the Word and pastors, 
who preached the gospel and administered the 
sacraments; but the others, who did not labor in 
the Word, and still did serve in the Church, bore 
a particular office, namely, they had the oversight 
of the Church, and ruled the same with the minis- 
ters of the Word. For Paul, Rom. Chap. 12, hav- 
ing spoken of the ministry of the Word, and also 
of the office of distribution or deaconship, speak- 
eth afterwards particularly of this office, saying, 
"he that ruleth let him do it with diligence"; hke- 
wise, in another place he counts government 
among the gifts and offices which God hath insti- 
tuted in the Church: 1 Cor. 12. Thus we see that 
these sorts of ministers are added to the others 
who preach the gospel, to aid and assist them, as 
in the Old Testament the common Levites were 
to the priests in the service of the tabernacle, in 
those things which they could not perform alone: 
notwithstanding the offices always remained dis- 
tinct one from the other. Moreover, it is proper 
that such men should be joined to the ministers 
of the Word in the government of the Church, to 
the end, that thereby all tyranny and lording may 
be kept out of the Church of God, which may 



CHURCH MANUAL 89 

sooner creep in, when the government is placed 
in the hands of one alone, or of a very few. And 
thus the ministers of the Word, together with the 
elders, form a body or assembly, being as a coun- 
cil of the Church, representing the whole Church; 
to which Christ alludes when he saith, "Tell the 
Church" — which can in no wise be understood of 
all and every member of the Church in particular, 
but very properly of those who govern the 
Church, out of which they are chosen. 

Therefore, in the first place, the office of elders 
is, together with the ministers of the Word, to 
take the oversight of the Church, which is com- 
mitted to them, and diligently to look, whether 
every one properly deports himself in his confes- 
sion and conversation; to admonish those who 
behave themselves disorderly, and to prevent, as 
much as possible, the sacraments from being pro- 
faned: also to act (according to the Christian dis- 
cipline) against the impenitent, and to receive the 
penitent again into the bosom of the Church, as 
doth not only appear from the above mentioned 
saying of Christ, but also from many other places 
of Holy Writ, as 1 Cor. chap. 5, and 2 Cor. chap. 2, 
that these things are not alone intrusted to one or 
two persons, but to many who are ordained 
thereto. 

Secondly. Since the apostle enjoineth, that 
all things shall be done decently and in order, 
amongst Christians, and that no other persons 
ought to serve in the Church of Christ, but those 
who are lawfully called, according to the christian 



90 CHURCH MANUAL 

ordinance, therefore it is also the duty of the 
elders to pay regard to it, and in all occurrences, 
which relate to the welfare and good order of the 
Church, to be assistant with their good counsel 
and advice, to the ministers of the Word, yea, also 
to serve all Christians with advice and conso- 
lation. 

Thirdly. It is also the duty particularly to 
have regard unto the doctrine and conversation 
of the ministers of the Word, to the end that all 
things may be directed to the edification of the 
Church; and that no strange doctrine be taught, 
according to that which we read. Acts 20, where 
the apostle exhorteth to watch diligently against 
the wolves, which might come into the sheepfold 
of Christ; for the performance of which, the 
elders are in duty bound diligently to search the 
Word of God, and continually be meditating on 
the mysteries of faith. 

Concerning the deacons: of the origin and 
institution of their office we may read. Acts 6, 
where we find that the apostles themselves did in 
the beginning serve the poor, "At whose feet was 
brought the price of the things that were sold: 
and distribution was made unto every man, 
according as he had need. But afterwards, when 
a murmuring arose, because the widows of the 
Grecians were neglected in the daily ministra- 
tion:" men were chosen (by the advice of the 
apostles) who should make the service of the poor 
their pecuUar business, to the end that the apostles 



CHURCH MANUAL 91 

might continually give themselves to prayer, and 
to the ministry of the Word. And this has been 
continued from that time forward in the Church, 
as appears from Rom. 12, where the apostle, 
speaking of this office, saith, "he that giveth, let 
him do it with simplicity.'* And 1 Cor. 12:28 
speaking of helps, he means those, who are ap- 
pointed in the Church to help and assist the poor 
and indigent in time of need. 

From which passage we may easily gather, 
what the deacon's office is, namely, that they in 
the first place collect and preserve with the great- 
est fideUty and diligence, the alms and goods 
which are given to the poor: yea, to do their ut- 
most endeavors, that many good means be pro- 
cured for the relief of the poor. 

The second part of their office consists in dis- 
tribution, wherein are not only required discre- 
tion and prudence to bestow the alms only on 
objects of charity, but also cheerfulness and sim- 
plicity to assist the poor with compassion and 
hearty affection: as the apostle requires, Rom., 
chap. 12; and 2 Cor., chap. 9. For which end it is 
very beneficial, that they do not only administer 
relief to the poor and indigent with external gifts, 
but also with comfortable words from Scripture. 

To the end, therefore, beloved brethren, N. N., 
that every one may hear, that you are willing to 
take your respective offices upon you, ye shall 
answer to the following questions: 

And in the first place I ask you, both elders and 
deacons, whether you do not feel in your hearts. 



I 



92 CHURCH MANUAL 

that ye are lawfully called of God's Church, and 
consequently of God himself, to these your respec- 
tive holy offices? 

Secondly. Whether ye believe the books of 
the Old and New Testament to be the only Word 
of God, and the perfect doctrine of salvation, and 
do reject all doctrines repugnant thereto? 

Thirdly, Whether ye promise, agreeably t 
said doctrine, faithfully, according to your ability, 
to discharge your respective offices, as they are" 
here described? ye elders in the government of the 
Church together with the ministers of the Word: 
and ye deacons in the ministration to the poor? 
Do ye also jointly promise to walk in all godli- 
ness, and to submit yourselves, in case ye should 
become remiss in yom* duty, to the admonition of 
the Church? — Upon which they shall answer: 
Yes. 

Then the Minister shall say: 

The Almighty God and Father, replenish you 
all with his grace, that ye may faithfully and fruit- 
fully discharge your respective offices. Amen. 

The Minister shall further exhort them, and the 
whole congregation, in the following manner: 

Therefore, ye elders, be diligent in the govern- 
ment of the Church, which is committed to you, 
and the ministers of the Word. Be also, as watch- 
men over the house and city of God, faithful to 
admonish and to caution every one against his 



CHURCH MANUAL 93 

ruin. Take heed that purity of doctrine and 
godliness of Ufe be maintained in the Church of 
God, And, ye deacons, be diUgent in collecting 
the alms, prudent and cheerful in the distribu- 
tion of the same: assist the oppressed, provide for 
the true widows and orphans, show liberality unto 
all men, but especially to the household of faith. 

Be ye all with one acord faithful in your offices, 
and hold the mystery of the faith in a pure con- 
science, being good examples unto all the people. 
In so doing you will purchase to yourselves a 
good degree, and great boldness in the faith, 
which is in Christ Jesus, and hereafter enter into 
the joy of our Lord. On the other hand, beloved 
Christians, receive these men as the servants of 
God: count the elders that rule well worthy of 
double honor, give yourselves willingly to their 
inspection and government. Provide the deacons 
with good means to assist the indigent. Be char- 
itable, ye rich, give liberally, and contribute will- 
ingly. And, ye poor, be poor in spirit, and deport 
yourselves respectfully towards your benefactors, 
be thankful to them, and avoid murmiu-ing: fol- 
low Christ, for the food of your souls, but not for 
bread. "Let him that hath stolen (or who hath 
been burdensome to his neighbors) steal no 
more : but rather let him labor, working with his 
hands the things which are good, that he may 
give to him that needeth." Each of you, doing 
these things in your respective callings, shall re- 
ceive of the Lord, the reward of righteousness. 



94 CHURCH MANUAL 

But since we are unable of ourselves, let us call 
upon the name of the Lord saying: 

O Lord God and heavenly Father, we 
thank thee that it hath pleased thee, for 
the better edification of thy Church, to 
ordain in it, besides the ministers of the 
Word, rulers and assistants, by whom 
thy Church may be preserved in peace 
and prosperity, and the indigent assisted; 
and that Thou hast at present granted us 
in this place, men, who are of good testi- 
mony, and we hope endowed with thy 
Spirit. We beseech thee, replenish them 
more and more with such gifts as are 
necessary, for them in their ministration; 
with the gifts of wisdom, courage, dis- 
cretion, and benevoknce, to the end that 
every one may, in his respective office, 
acquit himself as is becoming; the elders 
in taking diligent heed unto the doctrine 
and conversation, in keeping out the 
wolves from the sheepf old of thy beloved 
Son; and in admonishing and reproving 
disorderly persons. In like manner, the 
deacons in carefully receiving, and liber- 
ally and prudently distributing of the 
alms to the poor, and in comforting them 
with thy holy Word. Give grace both 
to the elders and deacons, that they may 
persevere in their faithful labor, and 
never become weary by reason of any 
trouble, pain or persecution of the world. 



CHURCH MANUAL 95 

Grant also especially thy divine grace to 
this people, over whom they are placed, 
that they may wilUngly submit them- 
selves to the good exhortations of the 
elders, counting them worthy of honor 
for their work's sake; give also unto the 
rich, liberal hearts towards the poor, 
and to the poor grateful hearts towards 
those who help and serve them; to the 
end that every one acquitting himself of 
his duty, thy holy name may thereby be 
magnified, and the kingdom of thy Son 
Jesus Christ enlarged, in whose name we 
conclude our prayers, saying: "Our 
Father," etc. 



CHURCH HAKUAL 97 



FORM FOR THE INSTALLATION OF PRO- 
FESSORS OF THEOLOGY. 



Beloved brethren, it is known unto you that 
our brother in the holy ministry, N. N., has been 
called by our last Synod to the important office of 
professor of theology at our Theological Sem- 
inary. To our joy he has accepted this call, and 
we are now assembled to install him in office. 
For which purpose we request thee, brother N.N., 
to arise and to Usten to that which belongs to this 
office, and is placed by the Lord and the Church 
in thy charge. 

Since our God, who is rich in mercy, has 
chosen in his great love a Church unto himself 
for the inheritance of eternal life, and will gather 
this Church through his Spirit and Word to the 
fellowship of his Son, in the unity of true faith, 
and to the increase of the knowledge of his will, 
so it pleases him to call men by his Holy Spirit, 
who as ministers of the Word are to preach the 
glad tidings of salvation among those who al- 
ready belong to the Church and among those out- 
side, who are yet without the knowledge of God's 
ways. 

The first messengers of peace in the days of 
the New Testament were immediately taught by 
our Lord Jesus Christ, and were by him person- 



93 CHURCH MANTJAL 

ally trained and sent. After the outpouring of 
the Holy Spirit he gave them great diversities of 
extraordinary gifts and knowledge of the mys- 
teries of salvation of sinners and the upbuilding 
of saints. Because these extraordinary methods, 
however, lasted only as long as the Lord judged 
them to be necessary for the founding of his 
Church among the nations, the necessity was soon 
felt of training youths and men for the holy min- 
istry under the ordinary dispensation of the Spirit 
by the regular methods of education. And this 
especially in virtue of what Paul wrote in 2 Tim. 
2: 2, "And the things which thou hast heard from 
me among many witnesses, the same commit thou 
to faithful men, who shall be able to teach 
others also." The Apostle here points to what he 
had himself done and what he required of his 
disciple Timothy. 

In obedience to this apostolic direction this 
training was originally done by learned and cap- 
able overseers of the Church. Later the schools 
of Alexandria, Antioch, and other important cities 
were especially engaged in this work. And when 
towards the end of the middle ages and in the 
sixteenth and seventeenth centuries universities 
arose in various places, theology was not incor- 
porated merely as a faculty with other faculties, 
but usually recognized as Queen of Sciences. This 
was the more easily done because the Church, 
both Roman Catholic and Protestant, exercised 
authority over or concerned itself v^th everything. 

As long as a university is founded on the basis 



CHURCH MANUAL 99 

of Holy Scripture, accepts the confession of a cer- 
tain denomination, and this denomination has 
part control in the appointing of professors of 
theology, it can not be disapproved of that future 
ministers of the Word should receive their edu- 
cation at such an institution. 

Since, however, Paul in Rom. 3: 2 expressly 
declares that the Church of the Old Dispensation, 
and therefore also the Church of the New Dis- 
pensation, was given the special prerogative that 
to her were intrusted the oracles of God, it follows 
therefore that the Church has a divine mission to 
proclaim the words of God, to collect from the 
Word of God her standards of faith, to study 
theology according to these words, and further 
to advance what is in direct connection with this 
study. 

Conscious of this calling our Church has also 
established a Theological School and called the 
reverend brother N. N. to devote his talents to 
this School. 

In behalf of our Church the Curators charge 
thee, esteemed brother, with the task of instruct- 
ing and establishing in the knowledge of God's 
Word, the students who hope once to minister in 
his Church. Expound to them the mysteries of 
the faith; caution them in regard to the errors 
and heresies of the old, but especially of the new 
day; seek to explain how they not alone as 
teachers are to instruct, but also as pastors are to 
shepherd the flock of the Lord. Assist in main- 
taining order and disciphne among the disciples, 



100 CHURCH MANUAL 



that OUT Seminary may continue to enjoy the re- 
spect, the support, the appreciation, the love and 
the prayer of the Chiu'ch. Be a good example to 
the students, that they may not only profit from 
thy learning, but aleo find in thee a living illustra- 
tion of the power and practice of true godliness. 

Be engaged in all of this according to the. 
measure of the gifts God gave thee, in dependence I j 
on the Lord's help and the light of the Holy Spirit. 

And that it may now pubUcly appear that thou, 
highly esteemed brother, art thus disposed, thou 
art to answer the following questions: 

First. I ask thee, dost thou feel in thy heart 
that thou art lawfully called of God's Church and 
therefore of God himself to this office? 

Secondly. Dost thou believe the books of the 
Old and New Testament to be the only Word of 
God. Dost thou reject all doctrine repugnant 
thereto, and dost thou accept the doctrinal stand- 
ards of the Christian Reformed Church as the 
truest expression of the doctrine of salvation? 

Thirdly. Dost thou promise faithfully to dis- 
charge thy office according to the same doctrine 
above described, and to adorn it with a godly Uf e ? 

Fourthly. Dost thou promise to submit thy- 
self, in case thou shouldest become delinquent, 
either in life or doctrine, to the ordinance of the 
Church, and if necessary, to Church discipline ? 

Answer: Yes, with all my heart. 



CHURCH MANUAL 103 



FORM OF ORDINATION OF MISSIONARIES. 



Beloved in our Lord and Savior and all here 
present. 

It is known to you that our brother N. N., 

called by the as missionary minister 

of the Word among the Heathen (Dispersed), 

(and recently examined by the Classis of ) 

is now to be publicly ordained (installed) as mis- 
sionary. 

We, therefore, request thee, beloved brother 
N. N., to arise and to attend to a short declaration 
touching the office of missionary ministers of the 
Word. 

Since our God, according to his infinite mercy, 
has chosen a Church unto everlasting life, and 
gathers it by his blessed gospel, out of every na- 
tion, and of all tribes and peoples and tongues, 
unto the fellowship of his Son, in unity of the true 
faith, therefore our risen Savior has ordained an 
office and has called men, to carry the message of 
salvation to all peoples, commanding his apostles, 
and in them all lawful ministers of the Word: "Go 
ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to 
every creature." Mark 16: 15. For he that as- 
cended far above all the heavens, that he might 



104 CHURCH MANUAL 

fulfill all things, gave some to be apostles; and 
some prophets; and some evangelists; and some 
pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the 
saints, unto the work of ministering, unto the 
buildUng up of the body of Christ. And the 
Apostles, responding to this, went forth into the 
world declaring the whole counsel of God, partic- 
ularly repentance, and remission of sins, through 
faith in Jesus Christ, testifying: "for God so 
loved the world, that He gave his only begotten 
Son, that whosoever beheveth in Him should not 
perish, but have eternal life." John 3: 16. "But 
all things are of God, who reconciled us to himself 
through Christ, and gave unto us the ministry of 
reconcihation: to-wit, that God was in Christ 
reconciUng the world unto himself, not reckoning 
unto them their trespasses; and hath committed 
unto us the word of reconciliation. We are am- 
bassadors, therefore, on behalf of Christ, as 
though God were entreating by us: we beseech 
you on behalf of Christ, be ye reconciled to God." 
2 Cor. 5. 

Without this word of reconciliation, faith 
in Christ and consequently salvation, is and re- 
mains forever impossible, for Holy Scripture says, 
Acts 4: 12: "And in none other is there salvation; 
for neither is there any other name under heaven, 
that is given among men, wherein we must be 
saved;" and elsewhere: Rom. 10: 14, 15, 17: "How 
shall they believe in him of whom they have not 
heard? and how shall they hear without a 
preacher? and how shall they preach, except they 



CHURCH MANUAL 105 

be sent? So then, faith cometh by hearing, and 
hearing by the Word of God." 

Although all ministers of the Word have in 
common, that to them is committed the preaching 
of the Gospel, the administration of the Sacra- 
ments, the government of the Church, and the 
maintenance of christian disciphne, yea, all, that, 
according to the Word of God belongs to the of- 
fice of pastor and teacher: and although from the 
difference of field of labor no difference is result- 
ing, concerning office, authority or dignity, since 
all possess the same mission, the same office and 
the same authority, yet notwithstanding this, it 
is necessary that some labor in the congregations 
already estabUshed, while others are called and 
sent to preach the Gospel to those without, in or- 
der to bring them to Christ. And let each man 
abide in that calling wherein he was called by the 
Church of God and consequently by God him- 
self and whereunto each has received gifts, until 
it pleases the Lord to lead him along a lawful way 
to a different field of labor. 

That unto the Heathen also these glad tidings 
must be brought appears plainly from Matt. 28: 
19, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, bap- 
tizing them in the name of the Father, and of the 
Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to ob- 
serve all things whatsoever I have commanded 
you." 

The same was revealed to Peter by showing 
him as it were a great sheet let down by four 
corners upon the earth, wherein were all manner 



106 CHURCH MANUAL 



of beasts, and thereupon commanding him to go 
down to the Gentile CorneUus, saying: "Arise, 
and get thee down, and go with them, nothing 
doubting; for I have sent them," Acts 10: 20. Like- 
wise he spoke to Paul in a vision in the temple: 
"Depart: for I will send thee forth far hence unto 
the Gentiles." Acts 22:21. 

This divine charge was also carried out by the 
church of Antioch, when they, after fasting and 
prayer, laid their hands upon Barnabas and Saul 
and sent them away to preach the gospel also unto 
the Gentiles, Acts 13. And when they on their 
first missionary journey had arrived at Antioch 
in Pisidia, they testified to the contradicting Jews : 
"Lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lord 
commanded us, saying: I have set thee for a hght 
of the Gentiles; that thou shouldest be for salva- 
tion unto the uttermost part of the earth." 

And besides all this it is evident that the work 
of missions is the task of the Church since the 
Lord Jesus himself calls his Chiu-ch the salt of the 
earth, and says : "Ye are the light of the world. A 
city on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light 
a lamp, and put it under the bushel, but on the 
stand." Matt. 5. 

That unto the Dispersed also these glad tid- 
ings must be brought is plainly inferred from 
what God says in Ezekiel 34: 11-16: "For thus 
saith the Lord God: Behold I myself, even I, will 
search for my sheep, and will seek them out. As 
a shepherd seeketh out his flock in the day that he 



CHURCH MANUAL 107 

is among his sheep that are scattered abroad, so 
will I seek out my sheep; and I will deliver them 
out of all places whither they have been scattered 
in the cloudy and dark day. And I will bring them 
out from the peoples, and gather them from the 
countries, and will bring them into their own 
land; and I will feed them upon the mountains of 
Israel, by the water courses, and in all the inhab- 
ited places of the country. I will feed them with 
good pasture, and upon the mountains of the 
height of Israel shall their fold be: there shall 
they lie down in a good fold, and on fat pasture 
shall they feed upon the mountains of Israel. I 
myself will feed my sheep, and I will cause them 
to lie down, saith the Lord God. I will seek that 
which was lost, and I will bring again that which 
was driven away, and will bind up that which was 
broken, and will strengthen that which was sick. 
I will feed them in judgment." 

That the Lord does this by means of his ser- 
vants, is clearly shown by the way wherein God, 
in the same chapter, rebukes the unfaithful shep- 
herds: "Neither have ye brought again that 
which was driven away," and expresses his holy 
indignation because: "My sheep wandered thru 
all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, 
my sheep were scattered upon all the face of the 
earth; and there was none that did search or seek 
after them." Ezekiel 34: 4, 6. 

The same also follows from the fact that Jesus 
who Himself was sent "to the lost sheep of the 
House of Israel," calls the Church the salt of the 



10« CHURCH MANUAL 

earth, while besides all this, the example of the 
Apostle Paul teaches us plainly that it is our high 
calling to bring the bread of life to our dispersed 
brethren after the flesh everywhere, and there- 
fore certainly first of all in our own country, to 
gather them, if possible, as congregations of our 
Lord. 

And since thou, beloved brother, art now 
called and art now being sent to labor among the 
Heathen (Dispersed), thou art to consider which 
important duties are thereby devolving upon thee: 

In the first place thou art to bring to their at- 
tention by all fit and lawful means, the glad tid- 
ings that Jesus Christ has come into the world to 
save sinners. All thine actions, thy speaking and 
thy silence, yea, all thine influence is to co-operate 
to recommend the gospel of Christ. Let thy con- 
versation be without covetousness; abhor that 
which is evil; cleave to that which is good, that 
thou mayest be able to say with the Apostle Paul, 
1 Cor. 9: 19, 22, 27: "For though I was free from 
all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, 
that I might gain the more .... I am become 
all things to all men, that I may by all means save 
some. I buffet my body, and bring it into bond- 
age: lest by any means, after that I have preached 
to others, I myself should be rejected." 

Secondly, thou art holden, if it pleases God to 
make thy work fruitful unto the gathering of a 
church, to administer the Sacrament of Holy Bap- 
tism according to the institution of the Lord and 
the requirement of the covenant. 



CHURCH MANUAL 109 

Furthermore, thou art called wherever it is 
necessary and possible to ordain elders and dea- 
cons even as Paul charged Titus, chapter 1 : 5, say- 
ing: "For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou 
shouldest set in order the things that were want- 
ing, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave 
thee charge." But lay hands hastily on no man. 

Moreover, there is committed unto thee, as 
minister of Christ and steward of the mysteries 
of God, the administering of the Holy Supper of 
the Lord according to the institution of Christ. 

Besides this, there is commended unto thee the 
maintaining of christian discipline in the midst 
of the congregation, by faithful use of the keys of 
the Kingdom, as our Lord Jesus has spoken: "Go, 
shew him his fault, between thee and him alone," 
etc. And afterward: "Verily I say unto you, 
what things soever ye shall bind on earth, shall 
be bound in heaven." 

And finally, beloved brother, be a faithful ser- 
vant of Jesus Christ, and a careful shepherd of the 
flock. "Preach the Word; be urgent in season, 
out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, v^th all 
longsuffering and teaching, .... be an example 
to them that believe, in word, in manner of hfe, 
in love, in faith, in purity." .... "Give heed to 
reading, to exhortation, to teaching. Neglect not 
the gift that is in thee." .... "Be diligent in 
these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy 
progress may be manifest unto all. Take heed to 
thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these 
things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thy- 



110 CHURCH MANUAL 

self and them that hear thee." (2 Tim. 4: 2 and 
ITim. 4:12b, 16). 

And that now everyone present may hear, be- 
loved brother, that thou art willing, and ready to 
undertake the ministry of the Word among the 
Heathen (Dispersed), thou art requested to an- 
swer sincerely the following questions: 

First. I ask thee whether thou feelest in thy 
heart that thou art lawfully called of God's 
Church and therefore of God himself, to this holy 
ministry? 

Secondly. Whether thou dost beheve the 
books of the Old and New Testament to be the 
only Word of God, and the perfect doctrine unto 
salvation, and dost reject all doctrines repugnant 
thereto ? 

Thirdly. Whether thou dost promise faith- 
fully to discharge thine office, according to the 
same doctrine as above described, and to adorn it 
with a godly life; also, to submit thyself, in case 
thou shouldest become delinquent either in life or 
doctrine, to ecclesiastical admonition, according 
to the public ordinance of the churches ? 

Answer: Yes, truly, with all my heart. 

Then the Minister, who demanded those questions 

of him, while he and other Ministers who 

are present, shall lay their hands* on his 

head, shall say: 

"Go then beloved brother and teach 



♦This ceremony shall not be used in the case of those 
who have before been in the Ministry. 



CHURCH MANUAL HI 

all nations, baptizing them in the name 
of the Father and of the Son and of the 
Holy Ghost. God our heavenly Father, 
who hath called thee to his holy ministry, 
enlighten thee with his Holy Spirit, 
strengthen thee with his hand and so gov- 
ern thee in thy ministry, that thou may- 
est decently and fruitfully walk therein, 
to the glory of his Name, and the propa- 
gation of the Kingdom of his Son Jesus 
Christ." Amen. 



CHURCH MANUAL 113 



RULES FOR THE SYNODICAL COMMITTEE. 



Article 1 

The Synodical Committee of the Christian Re- 
formed Church consists of three members, with 
the Stated Clerk as member ex officio and secre- 
tary. 

Article 2 

Members of this Committee are chosen at each 
Synod from the ministers of the church by regu- 
lar ballot for a term of two years. The term of 
the Stated Clerk is four years. 

Article 3 

The Committee itself chooses from its nirni- 
ber a President and a Treasurer. 

Article 4 

This Committee is instructed to execute all 
matters recommended to it by definite instruction 
of Synod. 

Article 5 

The Committee, through its Stated Clerk, 
maintains correspondence with other Chiu'ches, 
receives the missives addressed to the Christian 
Reformed Church by other Churches, gives them 
general pubhcity where this is appropriate and 
answers them. 



1X4 CHURCH MANUAL 

The Committee is also charged by Synod in 
case of general, crying sins, especially in case of 
Sabbath desecration, divorce and drunkenness, to 
agitate against these by petitions in the name of 
the whole Church. 

Article 6 
In case any Classis should desire, the Commit- 
tee is permitted, in weighty matters, to serve it 
with good counsel or to give advice, but never to 
obstruct any ecclesiastical assembly in its activi- 
ties. 

Article 7 
When a decision is taken by any Classis that 
should be given general pubUcity, or in which the 
co-operation of the chm-ches necessary and of 
which the execution can not well be postponed till 
the next Synod, the Synodical Committee may be 
requested to support such decision with its ap- 
proval in case it considers this profitable. 

Article 8 
The Committee shall give notice through "De 
Wachter' 'and "The Banner" of all weighty cor- 
respondence or actions performed by the Com- 
mittee that demand speedy publicity. 

Article 9 

The Committee submits a written report at 
every Synodical gathering of all its activities per- 
formed since the last Synod. 



CHURCH MANUAL 115 

Article 10 

The Committee shall be authorized to request 
the Synodical Treasurer to reimburse the mem- 
bers of the Committee for all necessary expenses 
upon proper receipt. 

Article 11 

Every omission or transgression of the rules 
of this constitution renders the acts of the Com- 
mittee with respect to the Church of none effect. 

Article 12 

This constitution, drafted upon instruction of 
Synod of 1886, and accepted by that of 1890, re- 
mains in force until another Synod shall have 
amended it. 



CHURCH MANUAL 117 



PUBLIC DECLARATION OF AGREEMENT 
WITH THE FORMS OF UNITY. 



Of all the marks by which the True Church 
distinguishes itself from all human societies, the 
Confession of the Truth must be mentioned in the 
first place. The Savior therefore said, John 8: 31: 
"If ye continue in my word, then are ye my dis- 
ciples indeed." And again: "Whosoever there- 
fore shall confess me before men, him will I con- 
fess also before my Father which is in heaven," 
Matthew 10: 32. In obedience to the Lord and for 
the instruction of all, the Assembly of Elders, 
delegated by the congregations of the Christian 
Reformed Chiu*ch, deem it proper that they pub- 
licly declare what the confession is of the Church 
here mentioned and of every one of its churches. 

All the congregations of this Church believe 
all the Books of the Old and of the New Testa- 
ments to be the Word of God and confess as the 
true expression of their faith the Thirty-seven 
Articles of the Confession of the Reformed 
Churches of the Netherlands, formulated by the 
Synod of 1618-'19, together with the Heidelberg 
Catechism and the Canons of the Dordrecht 
Synod against the Remonstrants (Arminians). 

In conformity with the belief of all these con- 



lis CHURCH MANUAL 

gregations, we, as members of their Synod, de- 
clare that from the heart we feel and believe, that 
all articles and expressions of Doctrine, contained 
in the three above named Confessions, jointly 
called the Three Forms of Unity, in all respects 
agree with the Word of God, whence we reject 
all doctrines repugnant thereto; that we desire to 
conform all our actions to them, agreeably to the 
accepted Church Order of Dordrecht 1618-'19, 
and desire to receive into our church communion 
everyone that agrees to our Confession. 

May the King of the Church work this faith in 
the hearts of many and increase it, and those that 
have received a like precious faith with us show 
the grace shown them in fellowship to the glory 
of Him who prayed that all His own shall be 
one in Him. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 121 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 



(The numbers designate the pages.) 

A 

Acceptance of call — by minister to another church, 16. 

Acts — Extra copy of — for consistorial archives, 29, 

Admission to Lord's Supper — 51. 

Admonitions — Three — before ex-communication, 60, 61. 

Advice — of Classis and counsellor in election of 
minister, 7; — of Classis necessary to excommunica- 
tion, 60 ; — of Classis necessary to exclusion of bap- 
tized members, 59. 

Advisory vote — of ministers not delegated to Classis, 34; 
of Theol. professors and President of Calvin College 
at Synod, 38. 

A^iliated Churches — Letters from — , 63. 

Agendum — for Synod, 36. 

Announcements — of nominations and congregational 
meetings, 24; of names of those examined as to their 
faith, 51. 

Appeal — to major assemblies, 27. 

Applicatory Sermon — 53. 

Approbation — by congregation of calling of minister, 6; 
of election of elders and deacons, 24. 

Approval — of nomination by counsellor, 8. 

Archives — Consistorial, 29. 



122 TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Assemblies — ecclesiastical, 27; only ecclesiastical matters 
considered in — ,27; major — , 27 ; matters con- 
sidered in major — ,27; prayer in — , 28; officers 
of — ,28; jurisdiction of major — over minor, 29; 
translations in — , 47. 

Assessments — based on consistorial statistics, 30. 

Auditing Committees — 40. 

Authorities — protection of — sought by churches, 26. 

B 

Baptized-member system — abolition of — , 33. 

Baptism — of infants, 50; outside of public worship, 50; 
when it can't be recognized, 50; when it must be rec- 
ognized, 50; only professing members can present 
child for — ,50; parents under discipline may not 
present child for — , 50; of waifs, 50; father must 
present child for — ,50; forms used in — , 51. 

Baptized members — unfaithful, 58; unfaithful — not 
given letter of dismission, 59; exclusion of unfaith- 
ful — ,59; Re-admission of unfaithful — ,59; cer- 
tificate of dismission for — ,73. 

Bible Songs — U. P. — recommended, 55. 

Brief Ministry — consistories advised against — ,11. 

Bureau of Information for Settlers — 14. 



Calling — to Ministry of Word, 6; of those not previously 
in office, 7; of those already in the ministry, 10; of 
ministers of other denominations, 12; of spiritual ad- 
visors of Institutions, 12. 

Call-letter— 71, 72. 

Call(s) — to Candidates, when permitted, 10; time 
granted to Candidates to consider — ,10; second — 
during same vacancy, 11; when legality of — uncer- 
tain, 11; acceptance of — by ministers, 16. 

Calvin College — 20 ff ; appointment of professors for — , 
21; President of — at Synod, 38. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 123 

Candidates for Ministry — Classical examination of — , 8; 
Formula of Subscription signed by — , 9 ; certificate 
given to — , 9; calls to — , when permitted, 10; time 
granted to — to consider calls, 10; supervision of 

— ,19; who receive no call, 22. 

Candidature — for Ministry of Word, 22; of those from 
other institutions, 22; prolongation of — , 22. 

Care — of poor by others, 25; of places where no consis- 
tory, 31. 

Catechetical Instruction — danger of neglect of — ,29; 
discipline of parents whose children do not at- 
tend — ,57; those who refuse to attend, 59. 

Catechism — explanation of on Sunday, 55; regular con- 
sideration of — urged by Synod, 55. 

Censura Morum — 62. 

Censure — need of — , 57; degrees of — , 60, 61; at close 
of Classis, 34. 

Certificate of Dismission — for departing minister, 17; 
for baptized members, 73. 

China Missions — 46. 

Choir — disapproval of — , 55. 

Christian Schools — 23. 

Church Help— 15. 

Church Order — contents of — , 5; revision of — , 66, 

Church Visitation — 34; Rules for — , 40. 

Classical Meetings — 32; how often held, 32; who pre- 
sides at — , 32; questions to be put at all — ,32; 
delegates to — , 33; advisory vote in — , 34; Cen- 
sure at close of — 34. 

Classis — consent of — to legality of call, 11; organiza- 
tion of new — ,33; instructions to — , 35; advice of 

— necessary to exclusion of baptized members, 59; 
consent of — necessary to excommunication, 60. 

''Colloquium Doctum" — 12. 

Committee to prevent scattering — 13, 14. 

Communion Cup — individual, 53. 



124 TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Compendium — used in examination before consistory, 51. 

Compensation — for loss of wages, 33. 

Confession — questions used in public — , 52; of sin 
against seventh commandment, 6. 

Congregation — approbation by — of call, 6; approbation 
by — of elected eiders and deacons, 24; organization 
of new — , 30, 31. 

Congregational Meetings — announcement of — , 24; 
rules for — , 30. 

Consistory — meetings of — ,29; composition of — , 29; 
minister president of — , 29; deacons added to — , 
29; archives of — , 29; constitution of — anew or 
first time, 30; places where there is no — ,31; sins 
to be reported to — , 58. 

Corpses — in churches, 53. 

Correspondence — with Foreign Churches, 64, 65; Synod- 
ical Committee intrusted with — ,64. 

Counsellor — task of — in calling of minister, 8. 

Credentials — for departing minister, 17; for delegates 
to major assemblies, 28; minister's consistorial — , 
69; classical — , 70. 

Curatorium — 20. 



D 

Date of birth — of baptized persons recorded, 51. 

Day of Prayer — 54; special — , 54. 

Deaconate — development of — , 25. 

Deaconries — correspondence between — ,25; under- 
standing of — with others who care for the poor, 25. 

Deacons — election and installation of — , 24; office of 
— ,25; added to consistory, 29; meetings of — , 32. 

Declaration of Agreement with Forms of Unity — Pub- 
lic — , 117. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 125 

Delegates — Synodical — for examination of Candi- 
dates, 9; to major assemblies, credentials for and 
rights of — , 28; to Classis, 33; to Synod, 33, 36; com- 
pensation to — for loss of wages, 33. 

Departing Minister — moving expenses of — , 11, 12; 
certificate of dismission for — , 17, 69. 

Director of Missions — 47. 

Disability — temporary — of Ministers of the Word, 18. 

Discipline, Christian — need of — , 57; of parents not 
sending children to catechism, 57; of parents who 
dare not have children baptized, 57; of members of 
secret societies, 57; of private or secret sins, 57; 
three admonitions in — , 60, 61. 

Dismissal — of Ministers of the Word, 17. 



Educational Secretary — 22. 

Elders — election and installation of — , 23, 24; office 
of — , 24. 

Elders and Deacons — term of — , 26; retirement of 
— ,26; renomination of — , 26; form for ordina- 
nation of — .87. 

Election — of Ministers of the Word, 6, 7; advice of Clas- 
sis and counsellor in — of Ministers of the Word, 7; 
of elders, 23, 24; of deacons, 24; of officers in new 
church, 31. 

Emeritation — of Ministers of the Word, 18; of professors 

of theology, 21. 
Equality — among ministers, elders and deacons, 19. 
Erasure — see Exclusion. 

Examination — Classical — of candidates for the min- 
istry, 6, 8; synodical delegates for — , 9; if not sat- 
isfactory, 10; of those without theological train- 
ing, 16; of preachers without fixed charge or who 
have left some sect, 16; of those who seek admission 
to the Lord's Supper^ 51; of those from other de- 
nominations, 52. 



126 TABLE OP CONTENTS 

Exclusion — of baptized members, 59; advice of Classis 
necessary to — , 59. 

Excommunication — of those obstinate, 60, 61; consent of 
Classis necessary to — , 60; form must be used in 
— ,60; three admonitions before — , 60, 61. 



False Doctrines — admonition to fight — ,49. 

Familiy-visiting — 49. 

Father — must present child for baptism, 50. 

Festivals — Christian, 54. 

Fiscal Year — 40. 

Foreign Churches — correspondence with — , 64, 65. 

Form(s) — used in Baptism, 51; — must be used in ex- 
communication, 60. 

Formula of Subscription^ — signed by candidates, 9; signed 
by ministers, etc., 49. 

Form — for ordination of ministers, 77; for ordination of 
elders and deacons, 87; for installation of Professors 
of Theology, 97; for ordination of Missionaries, 103; 
for Minister's Consistorial Credentials, 69; for Clas- 
sical Credential, 70; for Call-letter, 71; for certificate 
of dismission, 73; for letter of dismission, 74. 

Formulas of Unity — three — ,49; subscribed to by min- 
isters, etc., 49; public Declaration of Agreement 
with — , 117. 

Free Ballot — in organization of new church, 31. 

Funeral Services — 53. 

H 

"Hand-opening" — request for — by vacant churches, 7. 

Heathen Missions — 46. 

Home Missions — plea for — , 12, 13; collections for 
— , 13. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 127 



I 

Immigrants — labor among — , 15. 

Incorporation — of new congregations, 31. 

Individual Communion Cup — 53. 

Installation — of ministers, 11; — of elders and dea- 
cons, 24; postponement of — of elders and dea- 
cons, 26; of professors of theology, form for — , 97. 

Institutions of Mercy- — 25. 

Instructions — to Classis and Synod, 35. 

J 
Jews — mission labor among, 46. 
Jurisdiction — of major assemblies over minor, 29. 



Lapsing — of membership, 63. 

Lay-workers — 45 . 

Legality — of call uncertain, 11. 

Letter of Dismission — 62, 63; when not granted, 63; with 
remarks, 63; given to members, 63; from other 
churches, 63; from affiliated churches, 63; from non- 
affiliated churches, 63; from the "Ned. Hervormde 
Kerk", 64; form for — , 74. 

Letters of Baptism — from the "Ned. Hervormde Kerk", 64. 

Lodges — 52, 57. 

Lording — of one church over another, etc., forbidden, 64. 

Lord's Supper — obligation to partake of — , 51; admis- 
sion to — ,51; manner of administration of — , 52; 
how often administered, 53; where permitted, 53; in 
homes, 53; preceded by preparatory sermon, 53; fol- 
lowed by applicatory sermon, 53; suspension from 
— , 60. 



128 TABLE OF CONTENTS 

M 

Major Assemblies — 27; matters considered in — , 27; ap- 
peal to — 27. 

Majority vote — binding unless, 27. 

Marriage — confirmed in public worship, 56; when im- 
proper, 56; when to be discouraged, 56. 

Matthew 18 — when to be followed, 57. 

Membership — resignation of — , 58; retention of — by 
non-resident members, 63; lapsing of — , 63; trans- 
fer of — to nearest church, 63. 

Ministers of the Word — election of — , 6; examination 
of — by Glassis, 6; public ordination of — ,7; ex- 
amination of — without theological taining, 16; sup- 
port of — , 17; dismissal of ^ , 17; may not enter 
upon secular vocation, 17; emeritation of — , 18; 
temporary disability of — , 18; without fixed 
charge, 16, 19; admission of — of other denomina- 
tions to our pulpits, 19; office of — , 19; equality 
among — ,19; training of — , 20; president of con- 
sistory, 29; suspension or deposition of — , 61, 62; 
re-instatement of — , 62; form for ordination of 
— ,77. 

Ministry of Word and Sacraments — to whom permitted, 5 ; 
training for — , 20; consistories advised against 
brief — ,11. 

Minutes — of Classis and Synod, who furnishes — ,35. 

Missionaries — calling and sending of — ,45; official and 
membership relations of — , 45; lay-workers, 45; 
form for ordination of — , 103. 

Missions — 45, 46, 47; Director of — , 47. 

Mormons — mission labor among — , 46. 

Moving Expenses — of departing minister, 11, 12. 

N 
Names — of baptized persons recorded, 51. 
"Ned. Hervormde Kerk" — letters from — , 64. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 129 

New Classis — organization of — , 33. 

New Congregation — organization of — , 30, 31; free bal- 
lot in — ,31; election of officers in — ,31; incor- 
poration of — , 31. 

Nominations — announcement of — , 24; approved by 
counsellor, 8. 

Non-essentials — churches differing in — not to be re- 
jected, 64. 

Non-affiliated churches — letters from — , 63. 

Non-resident Members^ — reported to Classis, 13, 33; re- 
tention of membership by — , 63. 

O 

Offices^ — four kinds of — in church, 5; in assmblies, 28. 

Ordination — of Ministers of the Word, 7; form for — of 
ministers, 77; form for — of elders and deacons, 87; 
form for — of missionaries, 103. 

Organization — procedure in — of new congregations, 31; 
of new Classes, 33. 



Parents — under discipline may not present child for bap- 
tism, 50; only professing — may present child for 
baptism, 50; discipline of — not sending children to 
catechism, 57; discipline of — who dare not have 
children baptized, 57. 

Particular Synods — 35; correspondence of a — with a 
neighboring — , 35. 

Permission — to speak in public worship, 5; — to preach 
without fixed charge, 18; — to preach in another 
church, 18. 

Poor — care of — by deaconries and others, 25. 

Post-graduate Students — 23. 

Postponement— of installation of elders and deacons, 26. 



130 TABLEOFCONTENTS 

Prayer — in assemblies, 28; day of — , 54; special day 

of — , 54. 

Preparatory Sermon — 53. 

President — office of — , 28; of Classis, 32; of Calvin 
College at Synod, 38. 

Private Sins — how to deal with — ,57. 

Professors of Theology — office of — , 20; appointment 
of — , 20, 21; installation of — , 21; emeritation 
of — , 21; advisory members of Synod, 38; form for 
installation of — ,97. 

Professors, College — appointment of — , 21. 

Protection — of church by authorities, 26. 

Psalms — to be sung in public worship, 55. 

Psalter — U. P. edition recommended, 55. 

Public Declaration of Agreement with the Forms of 
Unity, 117. 

Public Sins — reconciliation of — , 59. 

Public Worship — songs in — , 55; Psalms in — , 55. 

Publication — of reports of committees for Synod, 37. 

Publication Committee — 40. 

Pulpits — admission to our — of ministers of other de- 
nominations, 19. 



Q 

Questions — to be used in public confession, 52. 

R 

Re-admission — of those excommunicated, 61. 

Reconciliation — of public sins, 59; of those ex-communi- 
cated, 61. 

Record — of names and date of birth of those baptized, 51. 

Re-examination — of candidates for the Ministry, 10. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 131 

Renomination — of elders and deacons, 26. 

Resignation — of membership, 58. 

Retirement — of elders and deacons, 26. 

Revision — of Church Order, 66. 

Right — to speak in public worship, 5. 

Royal Government of Christ — not to be infringed 
upon, 26. 

Rules — for congregational meetings, 30; for church-visi- 
tation, 40 ff ; for Synodical Committee, 113. 



Sabbath-keeping — 54. 

Sacraments — (See Baptism and Lord's Supper). Ad- 
ministration of — where there is no consistory, 31. 

Scattering of our People — warning against — ,13; com- 
mittee to prevent — ,13. 
Schedule — for Classical examination of candidates, 8. 
Second Call — during same vacancy, 11. 
Secret Sins — how to deal with, 57. 

Secret Societies — those confessing faith asked concern- 
ing — ,52; discipline of members of — , 57. 

Secular Vocation — Ministers may not enter upon, 17. 

Settlers — Bureau of information for — ,14. 

Seventh Commandment — confessionof sin against — , 60. 

Songs — permitted in public worship, 55. 

South America — 15, 16. 

Socialism — attitude towards — ,58. 

Special Synod — 36. 

Spiritual Advisers for Institutions — calling of — , 12. 

Stated Clerk — 28. 

Statistics — reported annually by consistory, 30; basis for 
assessments, 30. 



132 TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Student Fund — 22. 

Students — speaking of — in public worship, 23; post- 
graduate — ,23; renewel of speaking privilege, 23. 

Supervision — of Candidates, 19. 

Support — of Ministers of the Word, 17. 

Suspension — from Lord's Supper, 60; or deposition of 
Ministers of the Word, 62; sins worthy of — or de- 
position, 62. 

Synod — alternating delegation to — , 33; instructions 
to — , 35; (Particular Synods, 35); General, how 
often and when it meets, 36; delegates to — , 33, 36 
special or early Synod, 36; Agendum for — , 36 
publication of reports of committees for — , 37 
usages and rules for — , 37, 38; advisory members 
of — , 38; reports for — , 39. 

Synodical Committee — 39 ; corresponds with Foreign 
Churches, 64; rules for — , 113. 

Synodical Treasurer — 39. 

T 

Tenure — of elders and deacons, 26; extension of — , 26. 

Theological School — 20. 

Translations — in assemblies, 47. 

Traveling Expenses — to poor who move, 64. 

Treasurer, Synodical — 39. 

u 

Unfaithful Baptized Members — ^58, 59. 
Unions — Membership of — , 58. 



TABLE OF CONTENTS 133 

V 
Vacancy — second call during same — ,11. 

Vacant Churches — request of — for "hand-opening", 7; 
counsellor for — ,8. 

Visitation of Churches — 34. 

w 

Wages — compensation for loss of — ,33. 
Waifs — baptism of — ,50. 



Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. 
Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide 
Treatment Date: April 2006 

PreservationTechnologies 

A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 

1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive 
Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
(724) 779-21 1 1 



